Arizona Attorney General Brnovich announced that his agency is providing $400,000 in new community grant opportunities to support mental health programming and support services for first-responder professionals experiencing the effects of stress from traumatic incidents suffered in the line of duty.

According to a release, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration has reported that first responders are more likely than members of the general public to develop behavioral health problems, including depression and PTSD, as a result of exposure to trauma, life-threatening situations, and the physical strain of working long hours in the line of duty.

“As we’ve recently seen in the news, first responders are often exposed to horrific and traumatic incidents,” Mr. Brnovich stated. “Often the hardest part of addressing a problem is asking for help. Our firefighters and police officers give so much to us when we need help. The least we can do is help them in their time of need.”

During the 2019 legislative session, the Arizona Attorney General’s Office worked with Rep. Kelly Townsend to secure $400,000 in grant funding to support first responders who experience PTSD, depression, and other forms of stress and mental trauma.

“Too many of our first responders who have been exposed to stress and trauma walk alone in darkness with their unique needs going unmet,” Ms. Townsend stated. “It was an honor to work with the Attorney General’s Office to secure funding for grants to organizations that are going to help first responders struggling with post-incident stress and trauma. I look forward to seeing what comes from this much-needed and generous grant opportunity.”

The grant application window closes Feb. 28. One-time grants of up to $100,000 each will be awarded to support mental health programming and support services that will target first responder professionals experiencing the effects of stress from traumatic incidents suffered in the line of duty.

Click here for more information and to apply.