Page 16 - DEC2024

Page 16 NEWFOUNDLAKELIFE.COM December 2024
Healthy LivingNew Wellness Class for First Responders
Responders Together New Hampshire (RTNH) is launch- ing an innovative wellness class aimed at supporting the mental health of first responders and their families, with a strong em- phasis on prevention, commu- nity, and peer support. The class, set to begin in the Spring of 2025, seeks to provide respond- ers with tools and techniques to manage trauma-related stress before it escalates into a crisis.
Grafton County Commis- sioners and Speare Memorial Hospital have awarded Re- sponders Together NH (RTNH) grants for 2025 to fund this
and Families Coming in 2025
mental health and wellness class. RTNH is honored to have Chief David Goldstein, PhD, Chief (ret.) Deborah Pender- gast, BA, EFO, AEMT, Michael Petterson, MA, Federal Law En- forcement/Veterans Program Manager, and Dustin Ward, Veteran’s Affairs Liaison with expertise in recovery, accept the invitation to develop and facil- itate this important Peer Pro- gram.
RTNH's new initiative is rooted in a philosophy that takes a holistic approach to wellness. “We are tracking the whole per- son—not just their response to
trauma, but their overall health, social connections, and family dynamics,” said Mike Petterson. “We don’t want to wait until someone hits rock bottom. Our goal is to intervene
before things get too severe, to build a community
of support that helps responders maintain their well-being.”
The class,
which will be free of
charge to participants,
will provide responders with valuable coping mechanisms for managing stress, trauma, and substance misuse. Topics will in- clude mental health awareness, trauma-informed growth, mind- fulness practices, and substance misuse prevention. The execu- tion of the course is still being worked on, but they are hoping to hold it bi-annually. It is open
not only to first responders but also to their spouses, encourag- ing family involvement.
Responders often face ex- treme stress on the job, from responding to life-threatening emergencies to witness- ing traumatic events. The mental health toll can be sig- nificant, with
increased risks of burnout, substance misuse, and even suicide. Deb Pendergast provided data showing that, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the national suicide rate increased by 37% between 2018 and 2022, and in 2022 alone, over 49,000 people
died by suicide.
RTNH's peer support model
recognizes that responders are
often reluctant to seek help until they are in crisis. By focusing on prevention, RTNH hopes to provide responders and their families with the tools they need to build resilience and cope with the stresses of their work before they experience a mental health crisis.
The program has been made possible through the generous grants, which RTNH is using to fund the wellness class. “This funding will allow us to offer this class at no cost to respond- ers and their families, removing the barrier of financial stress and making it easier for them to access critical support,” said Aimee LaMotte.
The wellness program will kick off in the Spring of 2025, with registration opening soon. Interested responders and their families can visit RTNH’s web- site for more information about the course schedule, topics cov- ered, and how to sign up.
By focusing on early interven- tion, peer support, and family involvement, Responders To- gether New Hampshire is taking a proactive approach to mental health that could help respond- ers live healthy and happy lives.
For more information about the wellness class or to learn more about Responders To- gether New Hampshire, please visit https://responderstogeth- ernh.org/index.html.
Dr. Colleen WallaCe, PT
SERVICES __
• OUTPATIENT PHYSICAL THERAPY • WELLNESS SERVICES
• MAINTENANCE CARE
• EQUESTRIAN SERVICES
LOCATIONS __
• BRISTOL, KILTER FITNESS
• HENNIKER, NH
• TELEHEALTH & MOBILE SERVICES
A Better You
VITAL STRENGTH
PHYSICAL THERAPY
603.393.0135
colleen.wallace@vitalstrengthpt.com www.vitalstrengthpt.com
Independent Living Assisted Living Memory Care Long Term Care Rehabilitation Services
themorrisoncommunities.org 603-837- 3640 Whitefield, NH
INDEPENDENT LIVING - ASSISTED LIVING - MEMORY CARE
Integrated, Top-Notch Care
Where your care comes together.
Bringing you the care you need, when you need it. Mid-State's compassionate care team is ready to care for you.
Primary Medical Care Behavioral Health RISE Recovery Services Dental Services
Same Day Appointments X-ray and Ultrasound Dental Services
Physical Therapy
WELCOMING NEW PATIENTS!
Plymouth 603-536-4000 Bristol 603-744-6200
101 Boulder Point Dr. 100 Robie Road
Best value in the Lakes Region
PLEASE
Assisted Living
LOCK
Now Available!
YOUR
• 85 years of exemplary care
• No entrance fee with all-inclusive amenities • Pet Friendly
• Beautifully well-appointed suites
• Not for profit organization
"A place for all seniors, we welcome diversity."
Call today for a personal visit and tour: 603.934.3718 24 Peabody Place, Franklin, NH Peabody.Place
VEHICLES
More vehicle break-ins, most recently South Alexandria, wal- lets being left in unlocked cars! PLEASE LOCK YOUR VEHI- CLES!!! If anyone has any info or suspicious security camera footage, please contact us the Al- exandria Police Department.
Thanks and be safe!