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Local agencies announce support for 1st Responders Mental Health and Wellness Conferences

Posted at 9:10 PM, Jul 19, 2019
and last updated 2019-07-19 23:10:17-04

BOISE, Idaho — The Garden City Police Department and allied agencies held a press conference today to make known their support of the 1st Responder Mental Health and Wellness Conferences, and to make known that one is coming up in Boise, on September 16 and 17.

Topics and training will include the importance of surrounding our everyday American heroes with the support, resources, and discussion needed to not just stop suicide, but to maintain good mental health, wellness, and resiliency.

"That's huge, when you know you've got a room full of cops, and they're the good, hardcore, okay-- you know-- 'I'm a good cop,' ya know? And they hear somebody else's story, that they're willing to say, 'Hey, yeah, I need some help,' and then also helping break the stigma that post-traumatic stress is not something that they can't recover from," said Jacki Briggs, Assistant Director, 1st Responder Conferences.

Earlier this month, legislation became effective to include psychological injuries in workers comp for Idaho's first responders. There is-- however-- a sunset clause attached, prompting today's advocates to rally and discuss their support around the law, hoping the legislation will not be withdrawn in three to four years from now.