In order for first responders to be able to take care of the communities they serve, they have to take care of themselves, too.
That was the theme echoed multiple times Monday during the Santa Barbara County First Responder Mental Health and Wellness Conference.
“No matter who we serve, we are always there for their worst moments, but now we are talking about being there for each other in our worst moments,” said Kelly Gordon, chief of the Santa Barbara Police Department.
Monday marked the 66th First Responder Mental Health and Wellness Conference that brought together nearly 200 first responders, emergency medical services personnel, therapists and peer support leaders from across the county.
“We want to make sure that you have the education, tools and resources, and to help your coworkers,” said Shawn Thomas, founder of the wellness conferences.
The First Responder Conferences and county agencies co-hosted the two-day conference at 633 E. Cabrillo Blvd. in Santa Barbara to share mental health wellness strategies and emphasize the importance of peer support.
Santa Barbara firefighter Sam Dudley said the conference is critical to the first responder profession, pointing to a study that found that more firefighters die from suicide each year than die in the field.
Conference attendees fawn over Shinji, a Newfoundland that serves as a first responder therapy dog, during Monday’s conference. Credit: Pricila Flores / Noozhawk photo
“Every year we lose about 250 first responders in the line of duty,” he said. “It’s not because of bad gear, not because of bad training; it’s because we are not taking care of ourselves.”
This year, the Santa Barbara County Fire Department’s approach to wellness is changing to prioritize peer support and utilize a proactive versus a reactive approach, according to firefighter-paramedic Egan De Los Cabos.
A large group of first responders, therapists and even some therapy dogs heard from local first responders, such as De Los Cabos, about when they knew it was time to reach out for mental health help.
For De Los Cabos, his time came after he and his young son were struck by a vehicle in 2013 while off-duty.
De Los Cabos and his 3-year-old son were sitting in a gazebo in front of El Rancho Market in Solvang when a driver sped into the parking lot and knocked De Los Cabos to the ground and pinned his son under the vehicle.
He and his son were initially left with what he describes as cuts and bruises, but later started noticing body pain and skin issues that he did not have before the accident.
Something also shifted mentally.
Santa Barbara City Fire Chief Chris Mailes introduces therapy dog Donuts to attendees of the Santa Barbara County First Responder Mental Health and Wellness Conference. Credit: Pricila Flores / Noozhawk photo
“I was never suicidal during this, but what I will say is that I got a glimpse into a very dark place, and I know what it’s like to not want to be in pain anymore,” he said.
De Los Cabos said that throughout his career he completed “thousands of hours” worth of work training, but when it came to mental health wellness, he had zero hours of training.
Following the accident, he visited a therapist who gave him advice he didn’t agree with, prompting him to label therapy as a joke and never go back.
He didn’t try therapy again until a couple of years after the accident, his son fell off of a bar stool at their family home, and De Los Cabos began “crying inconsolably.”
“I knew my reaction was over the top, but I couldn’t control it,” De Los Cabos said. “So, I found a therapist, I paid in cash and burned the receipt. I didn’t want anyone to know.”
He said he told no one at work about his visits, during which he was later diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.
De Los Cabos is now the founder of the First Wellness Health, where he works as a trauma-informed health coach.
Through sharing his story, he highlighted the need for first responders to have healthy habits and an outlet to strengthen their mental health.
He said that by incorporating things such as stress management and exercise, among others, he noticed positive changes.
“I got my life back,” he said.
Cherylynn Lee, a police and public safety psychologist with the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office, shared a similar message in her presentation about how being a first responder changes a person and their families.
She also urged people to form a relationship with a therapist before they need help.
“Everyone is deserving of help no matter their rank,” she said.
