Mississippi • Health & wellness resources for those who serveNeed urgent emotional support? Call or text 988 · Immediate danger: 911
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FIRST RESPONDER WELLNESSMississippi Resource Hub
For law enforcement • EMS • Fire • Dispatch • Corrections • Families

You take care
of everyone.
We're here for you.

Supporting those who serve Mississippi.

Health, wellness, mental health, and practical resources for law enforcement, EMS, fire, dispatch, corrections, healthcare professionals, and the families who stand beside them.

Find support after a difficult shift, explore preventive health resources, or connect your department with wellness information.

Find what fits your role

Different uniforms. Different demands. You belong here.

Find practical starting points for the job you do and the people who support you. These resources are for Mississippi responders across agencies, not one employer.

03 / Beyond the fireground

Fire Service

For career and volunteer firefighters. Focus on occupational exposures, cancer awareness, cardiovascular wellness, sleep and stress.

  • Exposure and cancer prevention education
  • Cardiac risk and physical readiness
  • Sleep, stress and recovery
NIOSH firefighter research ↗Browse fire service resources →
04 / The first voice

Dispatch & 911

For dispatchers, call takers and communications personnel who carry emergencies through voices and headsets, often without seeing the outcome.

  • Secondary trauma and difficult call recovery
  • Headset, posture and sedentary-work wellness
  • Shift changes, sleep and peer support
NENA 911 Wellness Continuum ↗Browse dispatch resources →
06 / Those who stand beside them

First Responder Families

For spouses, partners, children and loved ones. Your wellness matters too—especially through long shifts, hard calls, deployment and recovery.

  • Communication after stressful shifts
  • Children, relationships and family routines
  • Finding help for yourself or someone you love
IACP family wellness resources ↗Browse family resources →

Anyone can use resources across professions. Peer-support services may have specific eligibility or confidentiality practices; check with the organization directly. For immediate danger call 911, and for a mental health crisis call or text 988.

Health beyond the physical

Good care is more than an annual exam.

Physical readiness, recovery, mental health and family life all connect. Start with the question that's most relevant to you right now.

01 / PREVENTION

Stay ahead of the next health issue

Talk with your clinician about blood pressure, cardiovascular risk, cancer screening, tobacco use, immunizations and any occupational exposures.

Prostate health information ↗
02 / RECOVERY

Sleep after a night shift isn't a luxury

Protect your sleep window, discuss persistent fatigue or possible sleep apnea, and make a plan for returning to duty after an injury or illness.

NIOSH sleep guidance ↗
03 / GET CARE

Care that fits around your schedule

Primary care and behavioral health services may offer virtual visits that work around shift schedules. Check availability, insurance coverage, and appointment options directly with a licensed provider.

Find mental health treatment options ↗
Mental health & critical incidents

Some calls stay with you.

You can be good at your job and still need support. A conversation with a peer or professional is a reasonable next step, even when things haven't reached a crisis.

What to notice

When the shift ends, what follows you home?

Changes in sleep, irritability, repeated memories, feeling detached, increased drinking, or a sense that you can never fully come off alert may be signs it's time to talk to someone.

Find trauma & stress tools
A useful first conversation

“I've had a few rough calls lately, and I'm noticing it's affecting me off duty.”

You don't need a diagnosis or the perfect words. Ask what experience a counselor has with responders, whether appointments are confidential, and what information—if any—is disclosed to employers.

Peer support is valuable but is not a replacement for urgent medical or mental health treatment.

WATCH

From fight-or-flight to forward

An ImageTrend discussion about responder PTSD, peer support, treatment options and reducing stigma.

Watch on demand ↗
TRY

VA tools for PTSD and stress

Explore VA mobile apps, including tools designed to help manage symptoms and support care.

View official VA apps ↗
LEARN

Compassion fatigue is real

Repeated exposure to others' distress can affect helpers. Learn about compassion satisfaction, secondary trauma and professional quality of life.

Explore ProQOL ↗
Mississippi contacts

Real organizations. Real ways to reach someone.

Use these verified public contact points to ask about available services. Services, eligibility, fees and hours can change.

Mississippi law enforcement

LEAPS Peer Support

Mississippi Law Enforcement Alliance for Peer Support connects officers, deputies and dispatchers with trained peer support. Visit their website for confidential contact options and availability.

Contact Mississippi LEAPS ↗
Officer and family support • 24/7

COPLINE

1-800-267-5463

Confidential support hotline staffed by trained retired law enforcement personnel, for current and former officers and their families.

COPLINE website ↗
24/7 crisis support

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

Call or text 988

For emotional distress or suicidal crisis. If there is immediate danger or an emergency, call 911.

Chat with 988 ↗
Statewide navigation

Mississippi Department of Mental Health

877-210-8513

24-hour information and referrals; statewide Mobile Crisis Response Teams can connect you with community-based crisis services.

Find your regional crisis team ↗
Find support

Behavioral Health Treatment Locator

Search for mental health and substance use treatment services. Confirm current availability, accepted insurance, and telehealth options with individual providers.

FindTreatment.gov ↗

Veterans & families

Veterans Crisis Line

988, then press 1

Veterans and their loved ones can access dedicated crisis support. For nonurgent veteran resources, explore VA coping and support information.

VA support resources ↗
Curated reference library

Useful information, without the endless search.

Articles, tools, webinars and professional references from the organizations you shared. Filter by profession or topic, or search the collection.

External resources are provided for education and navigation; inclusion does not imply endorsement of a provider or organization. Some sites request registration or provide content aimed at healthcare professionals. Sources reviewed November 2026; check the linked organization for current details.

Private personal check-in

A five-question PTSD self-screen

The VA's PC-PTSD-5 can identify when a conversation with a clinician may be useful. It is not a diagnosis or fitness-for-duty determination.

Your privacy: Answers are processed only in this page while it is open. They are not transmitted, saved or attached to an email. Reloading the page clears them.

Have you ever experienced an unusually frightening, horrible or traumatic event? For example, a serious accident or fire, assault, natural disaster, war, witnessing serious injury or death, or losing a loved one through homicide or suicide.

In the past month, have you…

Based on the VA PC-PTSD-5. A score of 3 or greater is a commonly used positive threshold in some settings; interpretation may differ by clinical population. If you have symptoms or concerns, contact a qualified clinician regardless of score. If you are in danger, call 911; for urgent emotional support, call or text 988.

For departments & agencies

Healthy teams make stronger communities.

Whether you serve in fire, EMS, law enforcement, dispatch, corrections, or healthcare, you can use these resources to start a practical wellness conversation in your organization.

01 / PREVENTION

Occupational health & screenings

Explore preventive health education, blood pressure and cardiovascular risk, exposure awareness, sleep and fatigue, and appropriate follow-up after medical evaluations.

Browse prevention resources ↗
02 / TEAM SUPPORT

Stress, peer support & recovery

Share confidential support pathways, critical incident resources, fatigue education and mental health information. Encourage voluntary early help-seeking.

Explore mental health support ↗
03 / PROGRAM PLANNING

Build or improve a wellness initiative

Find educational references for departmental wellness efforts, staff communication, training and access to appropriate screening or referral services.

Explore professional resources ↗
Have a question about your agency?

Let's start with what your team needs.

Ask about wellness education, occupational physical preparation, screening resources, referral navigation, or ways to connect your staff with existing programs. Any services or participation are subject to applicable organizational approvals and availability.

Contact Tiffany about agency resources ↗

Email is for nonurgent general inquiries. Do not send personal health information.

Questions & information

Looking for resources for yourself or your team?

For general questions about wellness information, occupational health resources, physical preparation, and department wellness opportunities.

Tiffany I. Garrett, MSN, RN, CWHS

Family Nurse Practitioner Graduate — Board Certification Pending
Nurse and first responder wellness resource coordinator

Drawing on nursing and occupational health experience working with Mississippi first responders, Tiffany shares educational resources, prevention information, and pathways to appropriate support for individuals, families, and departments. This is an independently maintained resource website.

msresponderwellness@outlook.com

Opens your email application; nothing is sent until you press Send. Nonurgent response target: within 48 hours of receipt, not guaranteed. Do not include detailed medical information or screening answers in ordinary email.

Before your occupational physical

Bring your current medication list, relevant specialist records, any requested clearance documents, and glasses or hearing devices if used.

Confirm whether fasting labs, forms or follow-up visits are required. Occupational medical clearance and routine preventive care are not the same evaluation.

What if my blood pressure or labs are flagged?

Follow the reviewing clinician's instructions. Ask whether repeat measurements, treatment or specialist evaluation are needed and who should receive results. This website cannot interpret individual findings or clear you for duty.

What if I need a referral or return-to-duty document?

Confirm what document is needed, the due date, and who is responsible for giving final clearance. Contact your coordinator for nonurgent navigation.

Independent Resource Notice

First Responder Wellness is an independently maintained educational resource for Mississippi first responders and their families.

External websites, organizations, and resources are provided for informational purposes only. Each resource has not necessarily been independently reviewed or vetted, and inclusion does not constitute an endorsement, recommendation, or guarantee of the information, services, or practices provided. Visitors are encouraged to verify information directly with the organization and determine whether its services meet their individual needs.

This website does not provide medical advice, clinical care, emergency response, confidential medical messaging, or occupational clearance. For emergencies, call 911. For mental health crisis support, call or text 988.

Portrait of Tiffany Garrett outdoors in a beige blazer and navy top
Meet the coordinator

About Tiffany

Tiffany I. Garrett, MSN, RN, CWHS

Family Nurse Practitioner Graduate — Board Certification Pending

For nearly 23 years, Tiffany has been a military wife, and she is also the wife of a first responder. She knows that a life of service affects not only those who answer the call, but also the families who stand beside them.

Through her work in public safety medical support, she collaborates with multiple law enforcement and fire agencies across Mississippi to help connect first responders with occupational health resources, preventive care, mental health education, and appropriate follow-up support.

“Supporting those who protect our communities means caring for their health, their well-being, and the people who support them at home.”

This profile describes Tiffany’s background and professional experience. First Responder Wellness is independently maintained and is not affiliated with an employer or public agency.