TWIN FALLS, Idaho (KMVT/KSVT) — Wildland firefighters got to experience all the snow-centered recreation that Sun Valley has to offer, while also addressing mental health concerns associated with the job.
The event took place from January 25 to the 30, and was all thanks to a local organization known as Higher Ground in partnership with Hotshot Wellness.
Higher Ground works with veterans and first responders by combining outdoor recreation activities, like skiing or hunting, with therapeutic processes.
In late January, they launched a pilot program aimed at providing these services to wildland firefighters.
Director of Operations for Hotshot Wellness, Justin DeMoss, said wildland firefighters struggle with mental health.
“We have a 2.5 to 4 times higher rate of suicide than the national average. Our rates of depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, and substance abuse are pretty staggering,” DeMoss said.
DeMoss said that wildland firefighters work many months out of the year and sometimes 16 to 20-hour days. The little time to relax or seek mental health help is why the group partnered with Higher Ground to provide firefighters a therapeutic recreation retreat in the Wood River Valley.
“Each day started with some kind of mindful movement, so something breath based to get them grounded, ready for the day. Then we would head to the hills. They would either ski or snowboard based on their preference and past experience,” Alaina Wilson, the Director of Veteran and First Responder Programs for Higher Ground said.
The firefighters would also go into town and bowl, play sled hockey, and enjoy other activities.
Wilson said due to the seasonal nature of wildland firefighter work, the two organizations chose to hold the program in January due to busy schedules.
“A lot of the programs that we run throughout the year, we can’t capture wildland firefighters because they’re out protecting all of us, fighting fire. And the fire seasons are getting longer, more demanding, the resources are more stretched thin,” Wilson said.
14 wildland firefighters participated in the program. DeMoss said that it was a great opportunity to remind them that help is always available.
Wilson said they plan to hold the program for wildland firefighters next year as well.
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