If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 911.

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — call or text 988, or chat via 988lifeline.org. At the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, they understand that life's challenges can sometimes be difficult. Whether you're facing mental health struggles, emotional distress, alcohol or drug use concerns, or just need someone to talk to, their caring counselors are there for you. You are not alone.



• Veteran Crisis Line — call or text 988, then press 1, or visit veteranscrisisline.net

• Safe Call Now — confidential support line for first responders and their families

• CopLine — 24/7 confidential support line for law enforcement

If someone is in crisis:

• Stay with them

• Remove immediate dangers if possible

• Help connect them to professional support

You are not expected to handle this alone. Immediate support is available.

• Octave
Experienced provider network. When searching look for "experienced with" and you can choose "first responders".

• Psychology Today Therapist Finder — find local and virtual therapists

• First Responder Support Network — trauma-informed programs for first responders

• Give an Hour — free mental health support for military and families

Helpful starting points:

• Look for trauma-informed or first responder experienced therapists

• Consider virtual options if local access is limited

• It’s okay to try more than one therapist to find the right fit

Support for relationships, community connection, and navigating life after service, including retirement, identity shifts, and staying connected beyond the role.

This stage of life brings unique challenges that are often overlooked, but support and connection still matter.

• First Responder Support Network — peer support and trauma programs for first responders

• Blue H.E.L.P. — support for law enforcement mental health and suicide prevention

• Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.) — support for families of fallen officers

• National Law Enforcement Spouses Association — support and community for law enforcement families

Support doesn’t always have to be clinical.

Talking to someone who understands this life — the schedules, the stress, and what comes home after the shift — can make a real difference for both individuals and families.

Life Transitions & Identity

Transitioning out of service or retirement? Adjusting to identity, routine, and purpose after the job? Finding new community and support after leaving the role? Staying connected and avoiding isolation? Start Here...

• All Clear Foundation — transition, long-term wellness, and life after service support

• The Mission Continues — purpose-driven community and service opportunities after leaving the military

• Hiring Our Heroes — career support and transition resources for military and veterans

• USAA - Leaving the military

• TAP-OS
military-focused, but honestly a lot applies directly to first responders because the identity transition is similar

•Serving First Responders-
they openly acknowledge that retirement from first responder life isn’t just logistical — it’s existential

• Frontline Transition -
Created by former police officers who transitioned into civilian/private-sector life.

•First Responder Resilience Project -
One thing they explicitly talk about is building wellness “into retirement,” which almost nobody addresses directly




Podcasts (Retirement & Transition):

• Transition Drill Podcast — conversations around life after service, identity, and transition

• The After the Military Podcast — career, purpose, and navigating life after service

• First Responder Wellness Podcast — mental health, stress, and long-term wellness in the profession


Leaving the job doesn’t mean leaving the identity behind. Support during this transition matters.

Looking for more support around retirement, finances, and long-term planning?

Explore the Financial Readiness section for additional resources and guidance.

• First Responder Support Network — trauma recovery programs and workshops

• Badge of Life — mental health support and education for law enforcement

• The Code Green Campaign — mental health advocacy and support for first responders

• All Clear Foundation — long-term wellness and critical incident support for first responders

Critical incidents, trauma exposure, and high-stress environments affect both first responders and their families over time.

Early support, awareness, and processing these experiences can make a significant difference in long-term mental and emotional health.

Specific Situations & Support:

Officer-involved incidents — guidance, legal stress support, and recovery resources

• International Association of Chiefs of Police — officer-involved incident resources and officer safety guidance

Line-of-duty loss — support for families, departments, and long-term grief

• Concerns of Police Survivors — support for families and coworkers after line-of-duty death

Returning to work after trauma — reintegration and mental readiness support

• First Responder Support Network — trauma recovery and return-to-duty programs

Coping with loss through suicide — support for families and survivors

• American Foundation for Suicide Prevention — resources for loss survivors and grief support

• Alliance of Hope — community and support for those who have lost someone to suicide

These situations carry unique weight and often require specific support for both the individual and their family.

🧰 Tools, Habits & Daily Support

• Calm — meditation, sleep, and stress support

• Headspace — mindfulness, breathing, and focus tools

• Insight Timer — free guided meditation and relaxation tools

Daily tools that make a difference:

• Journaling for mental health — how to start, prompts, and structure

• Grounding techniques (step-by-step methods to reduce stress and anxiety)

• 5-4-3-2-1 grounding method (simple technique for anxiety and overwhelm)

• Box breathing (tactical breathing used by military and first responders)

• Breathwork basics and techniques (different methods and when to use them)

Daily routines that support stability:

• Creating a decompression routine after shift (how to reset after work)

• Building consistent sleep habits (practical sleep hygiene guide)

• Reducing alcohol and processed foods (impact on mental health and stress)

Podcasts:

• Code4Couples Podcast — law enforcement relationships and family life

• Sleep Hygiene for First Responders — practical sleep and recovery strategies

• Recharge with David Ko — mental health and reset conversations

Looking for support around retirement, transition, and life after service? Explore the Peer, Family & Community Support section above for transition-focused resources and podcasts.

Small, consistent habits create long-term stability. Taking a few minutes each day to reset can help prevent burnout over time.