Page 6 - Boca Exposure - November '22

Page 6, Boca Exposure

211 Broward And 211 Palm Beach And Treasure Coast Launch

Hero4Hero, A First Responder Mental Health Support Line

The confidential Hero4Hero support line, created in
collaboration with the State of Florida, is available in
Broward County, Palm Beach County and the Treasure
Coast and will provide free mental health resources.
At a time when our first responders and their families,
our heroes, are dealing with professional and personal
challenges that they haven’t faced before, the State of support specialists) who are extensively trained to provide 211 Broward, 211 Palm Beach/Treasure Coast, Broward
Florida and the Department of Child and Families are comprehensive peer support to other current and former Behavioral Health Coalition, Group Victory, Public
answering the call and collaborating with 211 Broward and first responders and their families. Safety Chaplaincy, Southeast Florida Behavioral Health
211 Palm Beach and Treasure Coast to launch Hero4Hero, Hero4Hero provides toll-free access to regional, Network, and United Way of Broward County.
a 24/7 confidential comprehensive peer support line. statewide, and national resources that can help address First responders and their families are there for us.
Hero4Hero serves current and former first responders, the behavioral health needs of first responders and their Hero4Hero is here for them. There is strength in reaching out.
including 911 dispatchers, corrections/detention officers, families. First responders and their family members can Like Us Or Follow Hero4Hero On Social Media
emergency medical technicians, firefighters, paramedics, reach the support line at (866) 760-HERO (4376) or learn Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.
law enforcement, and their families. The support line is more at www.Hero4Hero.org. php?id=100083741764079
staffed by former first responders (first responder peer The repeated exposure to stressful and disturbing Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hero4hero_fl
events can take a toll and create mental health challenges Twitter: https://twitter.com/Hero4Hero_FL
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/
and PTSD for both responders and/or their family hero4hero
Medicare described their stress levels as acute, episodic, or chronic, About 211 Broward
members. More than half of first responders surveyed
The mission of 211 Broward is to provide a 24-hour

according to the Florida Department of Children and
Families and Division of Emergency Management.
and families in our community seeking crisis intervention
But while firefighters, police officers, 911 dispatchers, comprehensive helpline and support services to individuals
open enrollMent the first to respond to emergencies, they are sometimes and human services in Broward County. Every call to 211
assistance and/or information and connections to health
corrections officers and emergency service personnel are
is answered by a trained, degreed counselor who listens to
the last to ask for help.
the caller’s concerns, identifies their needs and connects
The new Hero4Hero support line helps target the

for 2023 complex needs of first responders and their family them with agencies and programs that can help them. 211
Broward relies on the generous support of government
members who are coping with stress, trauma, depression,
agencies, corporations, foundations, and individuals to
thoughts of suicide, and other pressures from daily
life. Hero4Hero aims to transform system-wide suicide
Broward, dial 2-1-1 or (954) 537-0211, download the app
prevention to save lives in the first responder community provide this vital community service. To connect with 211
by facilitating access to community resources, emotional and/or text zip code to 898211. For more information
support, crisis support, trauma-informed care, care regarding 211 and how you can help, please contact Tracy
cHecK For coordination, mental health and substance use treatment, Schuldiner, chief advancement and community relations
officer, at (754) 551-4172 or visit www.211-broward.org.
and suicide prevention.
Here are some additional statistics on first responders’
eXcItInG mental health, according to the National Institute for About 211 Palm Beach/Treasure Coast
The mission of 211 Palm Beach/Treasure Coast is to

Occupational Safety and Health: save lives through crisis intervention and by connecting
• Law enforcement officers and firefighters are more people to health, mental health, and wellness services 24
neW PLanS likely to die by suicide than in the line of duty. hours a day every day. 211 Palm Beach/Treasure Coast
started as a volunteer run 24-hour substance abuse and

• EMS providers are 1.39 times more likely to die by
and suicide than the public. crisis hotline, founded by renowned psychologist Dr.
Robert K. Alsofrom, who was passionate about helping
• Between 17 percent and 24 percent of public safety

aLL neW telecommunicators have symptoms of post-traumatic stress people struggling with depression, suicide, drug and
alcohol abuse. Over the years the hotline has responded
disorder and 24 percent have symptoms of depression.
to the needs of the community and become one of the most
Calls to the Hero4Hero support line are confidential

BeneFItS and can be anonymous. For example, the support line is utilized resources for all of Palm Beach County and the
Treasure Coast. To connect with 211 Palm Beach/Treasure
not affiliated with first responders’ employers, insurances,
Coast, dial 2-1-1 or (561) 383-1112, text your zip code to
or employee assistance programs.
898211 or email help@211pbtc.org.
This support line is supported by the Southeast Florida

YoU are First Responder Support Coalition, a partnership between
entItLed to
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