Beyond the Call, a new intensive outpatient program created by first responders for first responders, has launched in Middle Tennessee to address the growing mental health crisis among emergency professionals. The program provides evidence-based care in a confidential, first responder-focused environment for police officers, firefighters, EMS workers, and dispatchers.
Mental Health Crisis Among First Responders
First responders face significantly elevated mental health risks compared to the general population. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, about 30% of first responders develop PTSD or depression, compared with about 20% in the general population. Thirty-seven percent of fire and EMS personnel report seriously considering suicide, nearly 10 times higher than the general population rate. Police officers and firefighters are more likely to die by suicide than in the line of duty.
Alcohol use is common as a coping mechanism among first responders, with studies showing they drink at higher rates than the general population, often in connection with unprocessed trauma. September is Suicide Prevention Month, and across EMS, fire, and law enforcement, normalizing conversations about mental health is critical.
Program Features and Leadership
The Beyond the Call program is led by a therapist with 11 years of law enforcement experience and prioritizes mental health while addressing alcohol and substance use that often develop as coping mechanisms for job-related stress and trauma. The program is available both in person and virtually to meet the demands of first responders’ schedules.
According to Jody Babb, MSed, LMHC, LPC-MHSP, with Ascension Saint Thomas Behavioral Health Hospital: “Too many first responders treat trauma like just part of the job. Beyond the Call gives them a safe space to face that trauma, reduce risky coping, and build lifelong resilience.” Local departments and peer support teams can schedule a lunch-and-learn or program overview to learn how the program can support their members.
This article is an AI-assisted summary. All facts and figures are drawn from the original report: https://about.ascension.org/news/2025/09/local-program-helps-first-responders-heal-from-trauma-and-break-mental-health-stigma