Mental health support for Rapid City first responders | News [Video]

RAPID CITY, S.D. – First responders are exposed to trauma at a much higher rate than the average American, as their jobs require responses to multiple traumatic events each year. The Pennington County Sheriff’s Office and Rapid City Police Department are working to prevent wellness and mental health care for their staff. 

First responders spend each day walking their communities through life’s toughest moments, and after bearing witness to tragedy after tragedy, the mental burden can weigh heavy. “It’s hard sometimes to help ourselves, and we never want to admit defeat,” explains Pennington County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Amanda Swanson. “It’s a hard thing for people to deal with, and work through. It just really comes down to the support system we have at home and at work, and I feel like we have really good support here because people know when you need it. “

Heather Courage is a Mental …