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| Christine Frederick offers insight to WISH-TV's Julian Grace following a news conference at the Old City Hall. |
INDIANAPOLIS –
First-response employees of the Department of Public Safety (DPS) now have an
additional counseling option to turn to in times of need, courtesy of a collaboration
between six local hospital systems and the Indy Public Safety Foundation.
Franciscan St. Francis Health counseling services, Community
Health Network – Behavioral Health Services, Eskenazi Health Midtown Community
Mental Health, Fairbanks Treatment Center, Indiana University Health and St.Vincent Stress Center are
each donating resources and expertise to make Comprehensive Counseling Services
a reality, all in support of the city’s first responders and the Indy Public
Safety Foundation.
“We are
grateful to all our hospital partners for their generosity and the care they
are showing for the men and women of Public Safety,” said Director of Public
Safety, Troy Riggs. “I continue to be humbled by the support our first
responders receive from the Indianapolis community -- citizens and businesses,
alike.”
Christian Ellis-Frederick, Employee Assistance Program manager for Franciscan St. Francis, was among the invited panelists on hand for the news conference Oct. 3.
The new, confidential service, accessible
through a 24-hour hotline, is live as of today and is designed to supplement
existing counseling options already available to DPS first responders through
the City of Indianapolis or through their respective DPS division.
Counseling is available to public
safety personnel and their spouses, partners, significant others, children, and
other household members. Comprehensive Counseling Services offers assistance
for a number of issues including, but not limited to, coping with stress and
change; family, marital, and significant other relationships; child, adolescent
and parenting issues; depression and/or anxiety; and alcohol and drug abuse
issues.
“DPS
employees already have access to excellent counseling and support options,”
said Nick Ball, Executive Director of the Indy Public Safety Foundation. “First
responders expressed a desire to have access to an additional option that was
community-based and existed outside of the framework of their employment. These
six organizations came together in a selfless partnership with our foundation
and made this a reality for the benefit of those who protect our city.”
The service will be available to DPS employees for a period of six months, at which point the program will be evaluated by all stakeholders.
The service will be available to DPS employees for a period of six months, at which point the program will be evaluated by all stakeholders.
