Most of us will never encounter ONE event that creates PTSD in our lives. However, First Responders can encounter critical, traumatic events on a DAILY basis. Yet, mental health conversations and support can be taboo in their culture.
Our Mission
Foundation 1023 is committed to supporting the emotional and mental wellness of First Responders and their support network who are experiencing illness, loss or stressful life events by providing confidential funding for emotional and mental wellness services, as well as access to peer supported outdoor activities and events designed for personal wellness and connection.
Through public, business and community donations, Foundation 1023 provides positive mental wellness impact for first responders with confidential counseling, peer to peer training and community awareness regarding the need for mental health support in the first responder community.
Help Us Put First Responder Mental Health First.
Law officers resistant to seek emotional help in spite of high stress and dangerous job
DAN DARU |JANUARY 2, 2018 | 6:14 PM
DENVER — It is one of the most stressful jobs in America. Round-the-clock shifts, high divorce rate and it can be very dangerous.
When a fellow police officer is killed, the trauma resonates like a shock wave to those men and women who wear the badge.
For many in law enforcement, seeking help is perceived as a sign of weakness.
“It’s a concern that it will look bad on the record. It’s a concern that they might look bad in front of others, and partly they just don’t realize that counseling can help,” said Dr. Susan Heitler, a clinical psychologist in Denver who has treated many men and women in law enforcement.
Heitler said inroads to emotional help have been made, but there is still a long way to go.
“Emotional trauma response healing should be provided like physical healing is provided routinely for everyone who is out there protecting us and helping us in emergencies,” she said.
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14
Jul
2018
Ride For Life First Responder Poker Run
On July 14th, we will be hosting The Ride For Life First Responders Run in memory of all of our… -
15
Jul
2018
Kristin McLain’s PaddleJam 2018 – Summit County, Colorado
PaddleJam is designed to encourage individuals to be active while supporting Foundation 1023. We offer a fun, supportive environment to…
In The News
Over 100 volunteers, including survivors of the October 1st shooting in Las Vegas, came together Saturday morning to assemble 1,000 baskets for first responders.
Chad and Jennifer Robertson were two of more than 150 Coloradans who survived the October 1st shooting in Las Vegas. Chad wanted to do something nice for the first responders who helped him; give them a little something to say thank you. Soon he had raised close to $40,000; enough to provide thank you baskets to 1,000 first responders who helped that night.
“It’s pretty amazing,” said Melody Mesmer, co-founder of Foundation 1023, an organization that helps provide mental health services to first responders and their families.
“Having the availability to turn good from something bad is always good for our environment and our communities and it also helps spread the message of taking care of each other and being kind to each other,” said Mesmer. Foundation 1023 is just one of the many organizations who came together to help fill the baskets with meaningful gifts.
“There’s a lot of good people out there. For as horrible as this man was who created this crime and did this to this venue and all these people. … There’s way more good people in the world than bad people,” said Chad.
How Foundation 1023 makes a difference
I am finally getting help for my PTSD. Thank you!
This is saving my marriage.
I am so thankful to have this resource. It is much needed.
I was involved in a shooting and was struggling horribly. This counseling helped me and my wife so very much.
The counseling I received was phenomenal and provided me with tools for this lifestyle.
My life has been spinning out of control. This is getting me grounded. With two shootings and being assigned to investigate child pornography for years, I have really needed this.
It has given me help. I needed to talk to somebody who understands about PTSD stress and years of fighting demons. This was healing to me.
Absolutely astounding! I would not have sought out help on my own if it wasn't for this program. Foundation 1023 is at the top of our list for all fundraising efforts in the future.
Going to therapy is teaching me how to survive this career. I am learning to separate myself from the emotions of the caller so that I can keep things from hitting me personally and keep things in perspective.
This is saving my life.
As a law enforcement officer, I thought I was immune. Now I know that I am resilient.
I am healing. I am going to be ok.
