First Responders Program

The First Responders Program*

From his 30 years of experience in law enforcement, Joe Mahan has first-hand knowledge of the types of stress first responders experience. Mahan completed his Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice, doing his thesis - "Recognizing the Causes and Effects of Stress on First Responders, and Methods of Safely Managing Stress" - on stress in law enforcement. During the course of his research, Mahan came to realize stress is indeed alive and well in the first responder arena.

Mahan's professor had the following to say about the thesis:

"This paper can certainly be used to develop policy, make policy changes, used for training,
and also be used for further research and study both at your agency and academically.
You should be proud, I am."

--Michael R. Lewis, Professor, Tiffin University, Tiffin, Ohio
and author of: "The First Responder: Current Day Issues
A comprehensive look at the current issues of today’s first responders"

First responders see the best and the worst mankind has to offer. Studies have shown that first responders are among the most highly stressed groups, and often have difficulty asking for help in dealing with the stress in their lives.**

A retired police officer comments on stress management and the use of meditation:

"I was always a person who moved 100 mph until my injury stopped me in my tracks.
When my nerve pain couldn’t be healed my doctor sent me to a meditation specialist ...
it truly did help to learn how to relax and ease the stress that just added to the problem.
Wouldn’t it be great if every agency had a policy that included such training for their
officers and staff? How many heart attacks would that stop every year?"

-- Richard Neil,
Huber Heights Police Division - Retired
and founder and CEO of Protecting His Gifts

* This program has been developed to address this group's specific needs, and is offered to the first responder community,
as well as to students of police academies, at a special rate.

** Mahan's thesis, "Recognizing the Causes and Effects of Stress on First Responders,
and Methods of Safely Managing Stress" is available for online viewing.

The first responder program, "Recognizing Causes & Effects of Stress, and Methods of Safely Managing Stress" examines common stressors in the lives of first responders and what contributes to their stress. Stress comes in many forms, and affects just about every aspect of life. Not only do first responders deal with the public, they are susceptible to stressors at home as well.

This program - co-taught by Joe and Nancy - shows first responders how to recognize stressors, and offers safe and healthy options for dealing with stress. First responders experience the intensity of the challenges of everyday life, and can benefit from the safe and natural stress-reduction techniques learned through this program.

This program has been offered to Basic Peace Officer Academy students at Edison Community College in Piqua for several years and has been very well-received.

For information on how you can bring this programming to your area,
contact Joseph Mahan at Blessings Foundation, LLC:

Joseph A. Mahan, Partner and Director of Project Development

Troy, OH 45373 - (937) 335-4336

joseph@blessingsfound.net

or use this form:

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The Blessings Foundation, llc

mrs. neal’s not-so-conventional meditation class; est 1994