The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) hosted a free screening of the documentary “First Responders Sound the Alarm” at the Regal LA Live this past week.
As reported by the LAFD, the event aimed to provide insights into the lives and experiences of the first responder community, their families, and the people they impact.
The screening was followed by a panel presentation featuring Molly O’Neil, the wife of a Massachusetts State Trooper who died by suicide in 2016; Erin O.
Smith, the widow of Officer Jeffrey L. Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department in Washington D.C., who lost his life due to injuries sustained at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021; and Rob Verhelst, a career firefighter for the City of Madison, Wisconsin, and an Air Force Veteran involved in the search and recovery efforts following the September 11 attacks.
First responders face significant mental health challenges.
According to the Quell Foundation, mental health issues affect this group at an alarming rate.
The panelists shared their personal experiences and answered questions, providing attendees with a deeper understanding of the mental health struggles faced by first responders and their families.
Erin O. Smith highlighted the challenges her late husband faced: “First responders are affected by mental health issues at an alarming rate.” The candid discussions aimed to shed light on the urgent need for mental health support within the first responder community.
The LAFD is taking proactive steps to address the mental health needs of its members.
The department has implemented a behavioral health program that employs three psychologists dedicated to supporting the well-being of LAFD personnel.
This initiative underscores the department’s commitment to ensuring the mental health and wellness of its members.
The LAFD emphasized the importance of mental health in maintaining the efficiency and readiness of its first responders to support their communities.
The screening event was a part of ongoing efforts to promote mental health awareness and provide necessary resources to first responders.
The LAFD expressed gratitude to the panelists, the LAFD Psychologists, and the LAFD Foundation for organizing the screening event.
They also extended thanks to the members who attended, underscoring the community’s collective effort to address mental health issues among first responders.