Document Type

Report

College

College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

Department

Occupational Therapy

Degree

Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD)

Report Date

5-2026

Faculty Mentor

Agostine, Susan

Doctoral Experiential Coordinator

Latour, Debra

Abstract

Stress is defined as “a state of worry or mental tension caused by a difficult situation” (World Health Organization [WHO], 2023). It is common in daily life, however the amount and intensity of it is variable. First-responders, such as police, firefighters, emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics, have a predisposition to stress due to the requirements of their position. Because of the increased and consistent stress, these professions are at an increased risk for mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD; O’Toole et al., 2022). This relationship between stress and negative mental health, such as secondary traumatic stress, has known impacts on their family as well, (Alrutz et al., 2020), as research shows that work life and family life are very much connected together (Casas & Benuto, 2022). Despite this being an identified issue, there is a lack of resources available to both first responders and their families (Regehr & Bober, 2025), along with a social stigma of seeking mental health help. Based on current literature, this research study aimed to increase the support and resources available for significant others of first responders. Creating a space where significant others of first responders could come together to share their experiences all while learning about a variety of topics, including mental health awareness and evidence-based wellness and coping strategies, was a priority of this study. Additionally, to examine how the demands of the first responder's profession impact the well-being of their significant others.

Key Words: First responders; significant others; mental health; community resources

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