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Elko County DA outlines RUSH program to provide free mental-health sessions for first responders
Summary
Elko County District Attorney Tyler Ingram described RUSH (Responsive Unit for Supportive Health), a new, nonprofit-funded program offering up to three confidential, no-cost mental-health sessions to first responders after critical incidents; program launches May 1 and uses a QR-code intake to trigger outreach within 24 hours.
Tyler Ingram, Elko County District Attorney, told the Elko County Board of Health that RUSH — the Responsive Unit for Supportive Health — was developed after responding officers showed delayed emotional reactions to traumatic scenes and that the program will provide free, short-term mental-health care for first responders.
"It's a mental health program for our 1st responders," Ingram said, explaining the program was funded through the nonprofit arm of the child advocacy center with grant support from Nevada Gold Mines and no county money committed. He said eligible personnel include local fire, police, sheriff's offices, dispatch, EMS and mine rescue teams and that participating responders can receive up to three sessions at no cost. Ingram said the program uses marketing materials with a QR code; once a form is submitted, providers will reach out within 24 hours of the form being filled out. He said the program would be fully live on May 1.
Board members praised the program and asked about confidentiality and access. Ingram said the intake is intentionally confidential and that flyers and QR codes are distributed through agency liaisons. The DA noted multiple partner agencies had been involved in program development and that early, pre-launch utilization showed an immediate need. The presentation closed with Ingram offering to email materials and marketing collateral to the board for local distribution.
The board did not take formal action on RUSH during the meeting; members discussed coordination and asked county and agency liaisons to help publicize the resource.
