Feinstein Institutes Awarded $3.37M Grant to Enhance Mental Health and Resilience for First Responders

Recent studies highlight the mental health struggles of first responders, revealing that about one in seven may experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to their work. This issue has grown, especially after major crises.

To tackle this, a significant $3.37 million grant from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) is funding a new research initiative. Teams from Northwell Health, Stony Brook University, and Texas A&M University will carry out a five-year study aimed at enhancing the mental resilience of first responders across the U.S.

Dr. Rebecca Schwartz, a leading researcher at the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, emphasized the importance of this study. She noted that chronic exposure to trauma can lead to serious mental health issues. The program, called the Worker Resilience Training (WRT), will focus on teaching first responders how to manage stress and adopt healthier habits.

This isn’t the first time Schwartz and her colleagues are diving into this area. Previous research conducted during Hurricane Sandy showed that their WRT program effectively reduced mental health symptoms and helped responders cope better. The new research aims to involve 800 first responders in both New York and Texas. It seeks to measure not just the participants’ mental resilience, but also their lifestyle changes and stress management techniques after undergoing the training.

The current pressures faced by first responders have been amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Kevin J. Tracey, another expert involved in the study, pointed out that these workers need robust support, especially regarding their mental health.

The impact of this research goes beyond individual benefits. It has the potential to reduce the personal and financial burdens associated with mental health issues for first responders and, by extension, their families and communities.

For more details on the research initiative, visit the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research.

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Rebecca Schwartz, Stony Brook University, Texas A&M University, Medical Research, mental health, first responders, mental health conditions, National Institute of Mental Health, Feinstein Institutes’ Institute of Behavioral Science, Feinstein Institutes