08/20/2026
As leaders, if you are solely relying on the annual computer-based mental health and resiliency training to meet the needs of your troop or first responders, you are failing them.
As leaders, we are tasked with ensuring that those we serve have all the tools they need to accomplish their tasks and fulfill their mission. It doesn't matter if they have the best tools, the best PT scores, or the best mission-critical training if they are struggling mentally. Many of our troops, first responders, and their families are burning the wick from both ends, and without teaching, providing meaningful guidance, and something for them to connect to, many find themselves slowly self-destructing.
Being mission-ready isn't just about physical appearance or knowing what OI or TO to use to get something done. It's also about learning to recognize, understand, and manage the stress that this and other things can cause and having the proper tools to understand and acknowledge where they are when it comes to their mental health.
Here is the second issue where leaders are failing. Trust, understanding, and the willingness to admit they don't have all the answers. Unlike regulations and standards, mental health isn't black or white, nor is it something we can just treat everyone the same for. It is always going to be different for each individual person. Yet, we often try to place every person into the same mold/box when providing mental health care and treatment.
Mental Health isn't just a common cold that can be treated and it goes away. It takes a team; it takes patience; it takes time; it takes dedication; it takes understanding; it takes empathy/sympathy, and it takes the willingness to truly want to help one another and oneself.
We spend so much time training, focusing on our physical health, learning our jobs, yet we get a CBT for mental health. There are so many opportunities for free, meaningful training for mental health that provide real understanding, knowledge, skills, and tools to change and impact those we serve. Why, as leaders, are we not doing more to better the lives of those who work for us, with us, and live with us?
So today, we challenge all leaders to start thinking outside the box. Think outside of your current infrastructure, stop relying solely on your organizations to provide the tools and training, and bring new ideas, programs, and training to your units and organizations. Many programs just like ours are free, and cost you nothing but time.
So we are encouraging you to do some searching and find a program that you think would best fit your organization and reach out to them. Sit and discuss the program and how it would benefit you and those you serve.
Reach out to us and do the same, but no matter what you do or who you choose, give yourself a real opportunity to help.
Many of you are doing it right, and you are figuring it out, and we are super impressed. Others may honestly have no clue where to start, and that is okay. That is why we exist. Let us help, and let us help you bring the right mental health tools to you and those you serve.
We love ya, and we have you six!
TD
