Hillsborough County is stepping up its support for its fire rescue personnel's mental health by contracting with Ellie Mental Health and Thin Line Counseling. The contracts, valued at a combined $297,500, will provide a variety of psychological services to the county's fire rescue staff, estimated at around 1,200 employees.
In a move that brings attention to the often-overlooked mental health needs of first responders, these services are designed to offer immediate and preventive care. According to a recent report, counseling, wellness education, and site visits in response to critical incidents are a few of the services that will be covered under the newly approved contracts. Speaking of the urgency of these services, the county acknowledges the exposure of fire rescue personnel to routine traumatic events and the necessity for specialized care.
The contracts split the funding between the two providers, with Ellie Mental Health receiving $148,340 and Thin Line Counseling allotted $149,160. The no-cost services to HCFR employees will tackle issues like stress, grief, substance abuse, and the intricate challenges linked with marriage and parenting. There will also be support for trauma management, peer team clinical oversight, and management consultation services.
