ProTeam Tactical Performance Helps Celebrate National First Responder Day
First responders are equated with toughness and bravery as they quickly respond to their community’s distressing and traumatic needs, but the repeat exposure to intense, stressful scenarios can often lead to anxiety, PTSD, depression and more if left unrecognized and unmanaged.
In fact, according to the Ruderman Family Foundation, depression and PTSD are up to five times more common in first responders than the general population and are more likely to die by suicide than in the line of duty.
First responders are more likely to die by suicide than in the line of duty.
In light of National First Responder Day, Indianapolis-based ProTeam Tactical Performance believes now is the time to change the conversation and shift the mindset police and fire services have when it comes to their departments’ mental health efforts.
Led by former Indianapolis Colts quarterback Jim Sorgi and former St. Louis Cardinals right fielder Joey Vandever, ProTeam Tactical Performance provides elite injury prevention, rehabilitation, and performance solutions, like those of collegiate and professional athletic organizations, to help tactical professionals recover from physical and mental injuries, improve their work performance, and enhance their quality of life.
“Our first responders deserve the same elite resources and support they give us each and every day,” Sorgi said.
“At ProTeam Tactical Performance, we meet tactical athletes where they are and provide them with expert care and resources. We leave first responders better than how we found them.”
Now, the company is helping police and fire departments take a proactive approach to behavioral health with SHIELD — a confidential, secure and HIPAA compliant platform and database. With SHIELD, individuals can self-evaluate depression, anxiety, PTSD, substance abuse, stress and sleep quality symptoms through research-based questionnaires on an easy-to-use, customizable app.
Each firefighter and officer has their own private login to take questionnaires, journal, access resources and seek support anonymously.
“First Responder Day is a day to show your appreciation and support for tactical heroes and everything they do for us as citizens,” Sorgi said.
“These people put their lives on the line every day to protect and serve our communities. The least we can do is honor them, pay them respect and find better ways to take care of their physical and mental well-being.”
For more information about ProTeam Tactical Performance and SHIELD, visit proteamtactical.com.
About ProTeam Tactical Performance:
ProTeam Tactical Performance partners with durable medical equipment providers, physicians and other athletic training experts to give tactical professionals the highest level of innovative performance products and services.
Through early intervention, state-of-the-art technology, priority physician access and personalized recovery solutions, ProTeam Tactical Performance aims to maximize the health, recovery and quality of life for firefighters, police officers and other tactical professionals.
For more information, visit proteamtactical.com.