Gov. Doug Ducey announced Monday his office awarded $120,000 in funding to support first responder mental health during the coronavirus pandemic.
The funding will go to the Heal the Hero Foundation, a Scottsdale-based nonprofit that offers mental health support and other services for first responders, veterans and abuse survivors.
“First responders and those on the front lines work around the clock to serve our communities and protect others,” Ducey said in a press release. “We know those jobs come with lasting stress, and we want to ensure they have the mental health support they need during COVID-19.”
The funds will be used to build stress resilience for first responders who are vulnerable to physical and mental health issues caused by the stress of the profession, according to the release. Law enforcement personnel, firefighters and emergency medical technicians will be among the professions that will benefit from the services.