Standing Stronger Together

09/24/2026

It's National Su***de Prevention Month. Help us build a world where first responders, military, and their families feel seen and supported!

09/19/2026

September 19 is Police Officer Day. We're celebrating by acknowledging the human behind each badge.

07/11/2026

Taking care of your whole self is one of the reasons SST hosts monthly peer groups. We understand the power of connection and the role rest plays in our bodies!

06/17/2026

First responders have a higher mental health condition rate than average Americans.

Be brave! Be strong! Speak up!

Nearly 20% of American adult men – that’s almost 24.6 million people – experienced a mental health condition in 2025. Yet many men resist seeking treatment because of stigma and societal expectations around masculinity.

This , we want to remind men that talking about their mental health isn’t a weakness; it’s a strength. We all have mental health, and mental health conditions aren’t gender-specific.

Learn more about men’s mental health at mhanational.org/harrys.

And if you’re struggling and you’re not sure where to start, take a free, anonymous mental health screening at mhascreening.org.

05/12/2026

It's great to see organizations such as America's VetDogs expand PTSD support beyond veterans to Law Enforcement. At SST we welcome all First Responders, Veterans and their families to participate in a monthly peer support & networking group.

Featured in this post is one of SST's Lead Peers, Aaron, and his service animal, Poppy!

05/04/2026

We understand the job doesn't stay in the truck, at the department, or on the scene. The job comes home with you and research shows it affects those closest to you as well.
IT'S CRUCIAL TO CONNECT TO A NETWORK OF SUPPORT YOU CAN TRUST.

Standing Stronger Together hosts monthly Peer-Led confidential group events to build resilience, connection, and knowledge!

Trauma doesn’t clock out—and neither does its impact.

A recent article highlights a reality many already know: first responders face repeated exposure to trauma that doesn’t just affect them—it affects their families too.

🧠 What the article emphasizes:

First responders experience higher rates of:
• PTSD (estimated 15–30%)
• depression and anxiety
• cumulative stress from repeated exposure

And it’s not always the “big call”; it’s the accumulation of many difficult calls over time that wears people down.

💡 The part we don’t talk about enough:

👉 Families become the “second patient.”

Spouses and partners may experience:
• anxiety and depression
• secondary traumatic stress
• emotional strain from what their loved one carries home

Children may also show:
• behavioral challenges
• emotional regulation difficulties
• changes tied to the stress in the home

⚠️ Why this matters:

This job doesn’t stay in the truck, on the radio, or at the scene.

👉 It shows up at the dinner table
👉 in conversations that don’t happen
👉 in the moments people feel “different” after shift

🛡️ What helps (according to research):

✔️ Communication within families
✔️ Peer and family support programs
✔️ Access to trauma-informed care
✔️ Organizational awareness of family impact

👉 The takeaway:

We can’t talk about first responder wellness
without talking about the people at home.

Because the job doesn’t just change the responder, it changes the family system too.

🔗 Read more:
https://www.jems.com/mental-health-wellness/mental-health-challenges-among-first-responders-and-their-families/

04/22/2026

Real conversations. Real support. Real impact.

SST is now hosting monthly networking and support events. Want in? Contact us and we'll share the details!
https://www.standingstrongertogether.org/contact

All first responders, veterans, dispatch, forensics, etc. are welcome!

04/03/2026

SST is forming a network of people in our local community who would be at the side of the second Officer in this example.

03/21/2026

The basis of our entire existence!

03/14/2026

SST Lead Peers went to work this morning for the NEOFC & Center for Resiliency & Wellbeing (Gina Essex) as they hosted a training for Firefighter spouses and family members.

We're so happy to be able to support area organizations who share a common goal with us; BREAK THE STIGMA around mental health for First Responders and their families!