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Bowling Green approves three-year contract with Help the Helpers for first-responder mental health services
Summary
Commissioners approved a non-competitive agreement with Help the Helpers LLC to continue a peer-support and wellness program for police, fire and HR; staff said the program has helped after critical incidents and the total contract sum discussed in the meeting was $165,500.
The Bowling Green City Commission unanimously approved a non-competitive agreement with Help the Helpers LLC to provide a mental health and resiliency wellness program for city police, fire and human resources personnel.
City staff described the program as a multi-year peer-support and training arrangement that provides retreats, hypervigilance training, monthly peer support and access to counseling resources. City Manager Jeff Meisel and police and fire leadership said Help the Helpers helped establish and expand the city’s peer-support team after the December 2021 tornado and that departments have seen positive feedback and improved supports as a result.
During discussion, staff described the contract amount on the agenda as $165,500 and later clarified that figure represents a three-year total; the transcript records some confusion about year-by-year breakdowns during the discussion and a staff member said the $165,500 was a three-year total of program costs. City leaders said the agreement provides for confidential, no-cost counseling appointments for employees and their families and for phased training components that include vendor-led retreats and online resources.
Chiefs and HR staff described tangible benefits: improved peer support, training for spouses, and specialized follow-up training for the peer-support team. Commissioners voiced support for continuing the program, citing the unique stresses faced by public safety personnel and the importance of accessible and confidential services.
The motion to approve the agreement was moved by Commissioner Bailey, seconded by Commissioner Hill and approved unanimously on a roll-call vote with Commissioners Hill, Perrigan, Bailey and Mayor Pro Tem Dana Beasley Brown voting yes.
Why this matters: city leaders said peer-support and mental-health programming for first responders can reduce the long-term emotional effects of repeated exposure to trauma and that the program helps provide confidential, no-cost counseling and training for employees and family members.
Speakers quoted in this article spoke during the Help the Helpers agenda item; direct quotes are from chiefs and HR leaders who described the program’s role after specific incidents and the benefits reported by staff.
