USDA and Interior Department Expand Mental Health Aid for Firefighters

New Support Network for Wildland Firefighters and Dispatchers Helps Address Mental Health

The U.S. Department of the Interior and the USDA Forest Service have introduced expanded mental health support services for wildland firefighters and dispatchers, recognizing the unique stressors these emergency responders face.

The new program provides access to a network of licensed providers skilled in addressing the mental health challenges of first responders.

“Firefighters and first responders put their lives on the line to protect us, our resources, and our communities,” said USDA Secretary Brooke L. Rollins. “We are so grateful for their service, and we are happy to provide them with more support if they need it.”

Wildland firefighters and support staff work in hazardous and high-stress environments that can lead to trauma and long-term mental health challenges.

This expanded service offers a critical support network of licensed therapists, ensuring that responders can access confidential care when needed.

The service is part of the broader Federal Wildland Firefighter Health and Wellbeing Program, a collaboration between the USDA Forest Service and the Department of the Interior.

This program seeks to enhance both the mental and physical health of wildland fire personnel, focusing on the long-term health effects of their work.

The new therapy service offers year-round access to therapy sessions with providers who understand the demands of emergency response.

The service is available in every state and is open to permanent, temporary, seasonal, and year-round wildland firefighters and dispatchers from the USDA Forest Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

This initiative is part of the federal government's ongoing efforts to recruit, retain, and support the wildland fire workforce, which is critical in the fight against the increasing threat of wildfires across the country.