We depend on our first responders to keep us safe and save our lives. Now we need to make sure those who are willing to risk their lives to protect us get the support they need when they hit hard times. To kick off Suicide Prevention Month, the Man Therapy partners ask you to join them on September 1st at 6:00 p.m. MT (5:00 p.m. PST, 7:00 p.m. CT and 8:00 p.m. EST) for a live Twitter chat hosted by the Carson J Spencer Foundation. The Twitter chat will engage first responders and mental health providers in a conversation on how to best reach and support first responders. To participate, simply follow #ManTherapy for the duration of the chat and be sure to use the same hashtag in your questions and responses.
During this hour conversation, first responder panelists (see below) will be engaging participants in a dialogue on the following questions:
- What factors increase risk for suicide among first responders? What are the differences among groups of first responders?
- What are some barriers to reaching out for mental health services and other forms of support?
- What are some promising practices, resources, and tactics for mental health promotion and suicide prevention among first responder communities?
- What do you think of the new first responder resources from Man Therapy?
Panelists
Derrick Delgado: Derrick Delgado is a Captain for the Denver Fire Department and the President of the Firefighters Incorporated for Racial Equality (F.I.R.E.). After the death of Captain Steve Magana, Delgado helped lead a new suicide prevention initiative at DFD that has become a model for other departments in Colorado and nationally. More here:
@DerrickJDelgad3
Brian Humphrey: A lifelong California resident, Firefighter Brian Humphrey is celebrating his 31st year as a member of the Los Angeles Fire Department. In 1993, Brian was appointed to a Command Staff position as Public Information Officer prior to that year's monumental wildfires and the Northridge Earthquake in the year that followed.
@BrianHumphrey
@LAFDTalk
Shawn Mobley: Shawn Mobley is the Otero County Sheriff in Colorado. He is a U.S. Army veteran, an accomplished police instructor, veteran criminal investigator, and a community-oriented problem solver. Mobley has received numerous awards throughout his career and is the highest decorated officer for the La Junta Police Department, earning the Distinguished Service Cross for heroism and bravery, two Lifesaving awards, commendations for homicide investigations, accident reconstructions, and community service.
@OteroSheriff
Greg Pixley: For over 30 years as a Firefighter, Greg Pixley has witnessed the tragedy of suicide faced by our Brother and Sister firefighters and their families. This has driven him to assist those in need. As the Director and member of the Denver Fire Department Peer Support Team, he knows how important it is to always be there when called upon.
@GregPixleyDFD
Tom Wood: Tom Wood is the Field Director and 18 year veteran of the Alpine Rescue Team in Evergreen, Colorado. He’s a U.S. Delegate for Terrestrial Rescue to the International Commission for Alpine Rescue. Tom is an author, and his memoir Trading Steel for Stone: Tales of a Rustbelt Refugee Turned Rocky Mountain Rescuer, tackles the difficult topic of backcountry suicides and their effect on first responders.
@TWood715
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About the Man Therapy Partners
The Man Therapy campaign is the result of a unique partnership between Cactus, a Denver-based advertising agency, the Office of Suicide Prevention at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and the Carson J Spencer Foundation, a Colorado-based nonprofit organization with a focus on innovation in suicide prevention.
Cactus
Cactus is a full-service brand communications agency providing business solutions for companies and causes through brand strategy, advertising, design, interactive and media services. Cactus has been nationally recognized for its breakthrough creative executions by The One Show, Communication Arts, The Webby Awards, South by Southwest, Favourite Website Awards, Advertising Age, Creativity and Print’s Regional Design Annual. To learn more about Cactus, visit cactusdenver.com.
Carson J Spencer Foundation - Sustaining a Passion for Living
- Delivering innovative and effective suicide prevention programs for working-aged people
- Coaching young leaders to develop social enterprises for mental health promotion and suicide prevention
- Supporting people bereaved by suicide and people with lived experience with suicide.
Colorado’s Office of Suicide Prevention –– Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
The Office of Suicide Prevention, a legislatively mandated entity of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, serves as the lead entity for statewide suicide prevention and intervention efforts, collaborating with Colorado communities to reduce the number of suicide deaths and attempts in the state. To learn more about the Office, visit www.coosp.org. 
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