Waukesha Times

Veterans, service members, and first responders in Florida now have access to a specialized mental health program. Rogers Behavioral Health's Fire Watch program, initially launched for veterans and service members in Wisconsin in September 2024, has expanded its reach to include first responders and additional states.

Cindy Meyer, MSSW, Rogers’ president and CEO, explains the program's evolution: “We began this program by supporting our internal Veterans experts and hiring Veterans to utilize their lived experience and professional expertise to serve those who have served us. Now we’re proud to expand Fire Watch to First Responders as well as Veterans and Service Members. Our proven care can assist them in building tools to overcome barriers, find hope, and build a path toward improved mental health and well-being.”

Fire Watch operates as a virtual intensive outpatient program (IOP), offering flexibility for participants who engage in treatment sessions from home. The sessions are tailored individually with a frequency of three hours per day over three to five days each week. While Rogers maintains physical clinics in Miami and Tampa, the virtual format enhances accessibility for participants.

Tabitha Lennon, director of operations for Miami and Tampa clinics, underscores the significance of this initiative: “Our local heroes in the state of Florida knowingly put themselves in high-stress, traumatic situations daily, which can take a significant toll on their emotional and psychological wellbeing.” She adds that providing accessible services while working to eliminate mental health stigma will be impactful for these individuals.

Rae Anne Ho Fung, PhD., executive director of clinical integration at Rogers and an Operation Iraqi Freedom Veteran herself developed the program. It addresses issues such as anxiety, depression, trauma-related symptoms, and moral injury—a focus highlighted by Dr. Ho Fung: “Moral injury can result after someone is involved in or witnesses an event that violates their morals, values or ethical code of conduct... However it is important to know there is hope they can recover.”

Participants' time in the program depends on personal treatment goals set from the start through discharge. Besides Florida's new inclusion alongside Wisconsin & Illinois; free screenings are available too.

Rogers Behavioral Health remains committed nationally across multiple locations offering various mental health services underpinned by evidence-based approaches including inpatient hospitals & residential programs especially within Wisconsin where further options exist like PHP/IOP treatments both virtually & physically.