VIDEO: Wildland firefighters experienced all the snow-based recreation Sun Valley has to offer while also addressing mental health concerns associated with the job.
The event took place Jan. 25-30 and was made possible by a local organization, Higher Ground, in partnership with Hotshot Wellness.
Higher Ground works with veterans and first responders by combining outdoor recreation, such as skiing or hunting, with therapeutic practices.
In late January, they launched a pilot program to provide these services to wildland firefighters.
Justin DeMoss, director of operations for Hotshot Wellness, said wildland firefighters struggle with mental health.
“We have a 2.5 to 4 times higher rate of suicide than the national average,” DeMoss said. “Our rates of depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, and substance abuse are pretty staggering.”
DeMoss said that wildland firefighters work for many months of the year and sometimes work 16- to 20-hour days. The limited time to relax or seek mental health support is why the group partnered with Higher Ground to provide firefighters with a therapeutic recreation retreat in the Wood River Valley.
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