VIDEO: Our first responders are faced with a number of stressors beyond what the general population faces. From long shifts, battling fires, to saving lives, each call is unpredictable.
Dr. Steve Nicholas is a national certified counselor and an in house clinician for the Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District.
"They're taught to be strong and to be on task and to continuously perform," said Dr. Nicholas. "However, when does that person tip over and be overwhelmed and get help in their own way?"
That's why Northern Nevada Peer Support Network and the Firefighter Behavioral Health Alliance are teaching local clinicians and chaplains about awareness and treatment. Kassi Humphreys, a marriage and family counselor intern.
"So this is my way of trying to give back to the community in that sense and get a better understanding of working with first responders and what they do on a day to day basis," said Humphreys."