Page 4 - FEB2024

Page 4
Community
By Brittany amalfi
NEWFOUNDLAKELIFE.COM
February 2024
On January 8th, 9th, and 10th, Responders Together NH and the Canaan Police Depart- ment hosted an International Critical Incident Stress Foun- dation training for 29 attendees from all over the State of NH.
“It was awesome,” LaMotte says. “Seeing so many people attend the Peer Support Training was wonderful.” RTNH's mission is to provide Peer to Peer Wellness and Support programs at no cost to law enforcement, fire/EMS, corrections, dispatchers, veter-
ans, and their families Responders Together NH
(RTNH) plans on making 2024 a big year. With their goals already in place for the coming months, the non-profit organization has been working diligently on grow- ing its programs so that veterans and first responders have wellness, mental health, and peer support resources readily available.
Aimee LaMotte, RTNH Founder and Director, says it is a Statewide goal to build Peer Sup- port teams. The purpose of Peer Support is to help veterans and first responders mitigate stress response to reduce Post Trau- matic Stress Injury, substance misuse, suicide, and other health issues that are prevalent for re- sponders and veterans. “Peer Supporters are different than any other colleague in that they have been trained in basic wellness and mental health, and they are supported by a clinician so that
RTNH and Canaan PD Host Responders Peer Support Training
they provide assistance within their scope and know when to refer to a mental health provider. Peer support is confidential, so no documentation or sharing of information unless limits apply,” LaMotte continues.
Chief of Police in Ashland, William R Ulwick, emphasized the importance of Peer Support. “Law enforcement has notori- ously been really bad with han-
RTNH
continued on page 5