Survive First

08/24/2026

The wellness and mental health education needs in first response are not isolated to the United States. Our brothers and sisters abroad need support too, and we are grateful for the opportunity to bring this ever-important topic to Hungary.

This week, Raul Rivas travels to Budapest to present ‘Insights from the United States - The Role of Mental Health on the Front Lines’ at the 8th Gábor Somorjai Memorial Competition and 5th International Law Enforcement Professional Cup.

Wishing safe travels to the central Florida team and a week of impact for all!

08/20/2026

One of the most important things we can remind ourselves of is this: “I matter.”

The way we talk to ourselves matters. The thoughts we choose to believe can shape how we see ourselves, how we handle difficult moments, and how we move through life.

So today, choose a thought that builds you up and challenge any negative thought that may creep in. Be intentional about the voice you listen to…especially the one inside your own head.

Why? Because you matter to all of us.

08/17/2026

Longest Drive Sponsor Announcement!

A big thank you to Daniel Martinez State Farm for supporting the 5th Annual Brendan Arlington Memorial Golf Tournament as our Longest Drive Sponsor!

Their continued support helps Survive First provide critical resources, education, and support to first responders and their families. We are grateful to have them on our team and appreciate their commitment to our mission!

Come join us for a great day on the green!
September 26, 2026
Eagle Creek Golf Club | Orlando, FL

https://survivefirst.networkforgood.com/events/99029-5th-annual-brendan-arlington-memorial-golf-tournament

***deprevention

08/16/2026

Game On Race Events stands behind our nation’s first responders and works hard to give back to Survive First, every year, at our annual Run for Responders 5k in Cocoa Village, Florida.

On September 12, they are bringing another Run for Responders 5K Run/Walk  to the central Florida area… This time in Sebastian, in Indian River County.

Two weeks ago Indian River County Fire Rescue lost one of their own to su***de. Sebastian PD and surrounding agencies within the county responded. This tragic loss was one of six in thirty days.

Let’s come together the morning of September 12, honor our brothers and sisters lost, and let those who are grieving know we stand with them.

Click the link below and sign up today:
https://runsignup.com/Race/FL/Sebastian/GameOnRunForResponders5KSebastian

***deprevention

The Game On! Run for Responders 5K Sebastian is on Saturday September 12, 2026. It includes the following events: Run for Responders 5K, Run for Responders Police/Fire Rescue Only ID Required, Run for Responders 5K Youth Registration (15 and under only), and Run for Responders Virtual 5k.

08/16/2026

We do not always get to choose what happens to us. But, we do get a choice in what we do with the moment in front of us.

Sometimes, the choice is small.

- Take one more breath.
- Step away before reacting.
- Call someone you trust.
- Replace one negative thought with a more hopeful one.
- Give yourself permission to start again.

Just a small shift in your thinking gives you another way to face the next moment.

As Tina Turner said, “At every moment, we always have a choice, even if it feels as if we don’t.”

Be mindful of this and put this into your daily practice. Choice is our superpower, so let’s use it to set the course of the moment, the day, and even your life.

You’ve got this.

***deprevention

08/11/2026

URGENT CALL TO ACTION

Six Florida first responders. One month.

Three days ago, we shared the heartbreaking reality that three Florida first responders had lost their lives in the previous 30 days.

Since then, we have learned of three more Florida first responders who died by su***de in just the last week.

Six lives. Six families. Six communities forever changed. We can’t simply acknowledge these losses and move on.

This is a call to action.

Survive First is committed to making sure first responders have access to the resources they need…treatment funding, mental health and wellness education, peer support, and the tools to build resilience before they reach a crisis.

But we cannot do this without you.

Our 5th Annual Brendan Arlington Memorial Golf Tournament is one of the ways we raise the funds that make this work possible. Every registration, every sponsorship, and every dollar raised helps us reach more first responders and provide support when it matters most.

We need you to show up.

Sign up to play. Bring your department. Sponsor a hole. Build a team. Invite a friend.

Do something that helps turn these heartbreaking numbers into action. Because behind every loss is a person who truly mattered.

Together, we can do more. Together, we can save lives.

Join us September 26, 2026, at Eagle Creek Golf Club in Orlando.

https://survivefirst.networkforgood.com/events/99029-5th-annual-brendan-arlington-memorial-golf-tournament

Register. Sponsor. Show up. Be part of the mission.

***deprevention

You’re invited

08/09/2026

We know this is easier said than done.

When negative thoughts creep in, they can feel automatic, overwhelming, and very real. Changing the way we think doesn’t happen overnight. Like anything difficult, it takes practice, consistency, and patience. And that’s okay.

The goal isn’t to never have a negative thought. The goal is to learn how to challenge it instead of automatically believing it.

When a difficult thought comes up, slow down and ask yourself:

• Is this absolutely true?
• How does this thought make me feel?
• How does it cause me to act?
• What is the outcome of holding onto this thought?
• What would the opposite thought look like?
• Is that new thought true?

Sometimes, changing one thought can change how we feel, how we respond, and what we do next.

Your thoughts are powerful, but they don’t have to control you.

Practice the reframe. Be patient with yourself. Keep going.

Don’t be the victim of your thoughts.

You’ve got this.

08/08/2026

Florida is our home state, and over the last 30 days, our first responder community has experienced three tragic losses…a firefighter, a law enforcement officer, and a dispatcher.

Three families are grieving. Three communities are hurting. And countless first responders are carrying the weight of these losses with them.

We know this work can take a toll. Sometimes the strongest thing you can do is say, “I’m not okay.”

If you are struggling, please don’t carry it alone.

Reach out to someone.
Talk to a peer.
Reach out to us.
Talk to someone you trust.
Call or text 988.
If you are in immediate danger, call 911.

You matter. Your life matters. And you do not have to face the hard moments alone.

Florida, take care of each other.
We are stronger together.

***deprevention

08/06/2026

A heartfelt thank you to Tampa Bay Psychology Associates for once again standing with us as a Golf Towel Sponsor for the 5th Annual Brendan Arlington Memorial Golf Tournament.

For the third consecutive year, Tampa Bay Psychology Associates has demonstrated their commitment to the first responder community through their generous support of this event. Their continued partnership is a powerful reminder that protecting those who protect us requires all of us working together.

As a practice specializing in first responder mental health and resilience, Tampa Bay Psychology Associates understands the unique challenges faced by our law enforcement officers, firefighters, EMS professionals, dispatchers, corrections officers, and their families. Their dedication to providing specialized care helps strengthen the mental wellness of those who serve our communities every day.

Thank you for believing in our mission to reduce first responder su***de and for helping make this tournament and the programs it supports possible. Together, we are making a lasting difference in the lives of first responders.

08/04/2026

A huge thank you to Bichler & Longo, PLLC for their generous Silver Sponsorship of the 5th Annual Brendan Arlington Memorial Golf Tournament!

Bichler and Longo, PLLC has been a dedicated partner of Survive First since the very beginning. Their support has helped us continue our mission of preventing first responder su***de, providing life-saving mental health resources, and ensuring our first responders know they never have to face their struggles alone.

We are incredibly grateful for their continued commitment to the first responder community and for standing beside us year after year. Thank you for believing in our mission and helping us make a lasting impact.

Now it's your turn to join us!

Register today for the 5th Annual Brendan Arlington Memorial Golf Tournament on Saturday, September 26 at Eagle Creek Golf Club in Orlando. Whether you register as a foursome, or become a sponsor, your participation directly supports Survive First's mission to provide hope and healing for first responders.

We can't wait to see you on the course for a day of golf, camaraderie, and giving back! Click the link below to secure your team and/or sponsorship below!

https://survivefirst.networkforgood.com/events/99029-5th-annual-brendan-arlington-memorial-golf-tournament