Finding Solutions: Valor Station-Augusta helps those who help us
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - Valor Station-Augusta is a non-profit organization for first responders by first responders.
They provide behavioral health services to those we call when we need help.
The group is finding solutions in returning first responders back to their agencies, families, and communities happier, healthier, and more productive.
Andy Carrier knows what it’s like to be first on the scene.
He spent over 30 years working with the Georgia State Patrol and is now focusing on helping those who help us.
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“You don’t go through a 30 year career and not see some things, go through some things, things that will cause you to lose sleep, things that will cause you to act out, maybe be a little impatient when you shouldn’t so that’s the goal to get these people to return with a different outlook,” said Carrier.
Carrier is the chief operations officer of Valor Station and says this is an intensive outpatient program for current and former first responders.
Its staff specializes in treating trauma and will give the tools necessary to combat ptsd, depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation.
“It is incumbent on a society to want healthy first responders because if you call on your worse day who do you want showing up?” said Carrier. “What version of that firefighter, paramedic or officer do you want showing up? You want them as healthy as can be in every way possible because they can provide you a better service when that happens.”
The organization has partnered with the Hale Foundation located across the street, which is a residential treatment facility for men suffering from substance abuse.
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Cliff Richards is the CEO of the Hale Foundation and also of Valor Station. He says his goal is to help grow the program and not let finances be a part of why someone chooses not to get help.
“We want to be able to bring them in if they don’t have the out-of-pocket expense to cover from insurance companies,” said Richards. “Our mission is to be able to help them no matter what, whether they have the funds or means to pay or not.”
They have a 12-bed home available for those who have to travel to get help or who need to get away during the program.
“A place where while people are working on their own healing, while they’re going through the program they have a place where they can have a place where they can be comfortable and not feel like they are at an institution or hospital,” said Matthew Carpenter, VP of Valor Station-Augusta.
Valor Station aims to help people locally and across the U.S., with an official opening date of March 31.
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