LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — Desert Hope Treatment Center has introduced its First Responder Lifeline Program for law enforcement officers, firefighters, EMTs, dispatchers, corrections officers and other public safety professionals.
The program was developed in collaboration with public safety leaders, including representatives from the Nevada Department of Public Safety and the State Police.
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According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, approximately 30% of first responders develop behavioral health conditions such as depression and PTSD, compared with about 20% of the general population.
“First responders dedicate their lives to protecting our communities, often while carrying extraordinary stress and trauma of their own,” said Kristin Berg, executive director of Desert Hope Treatment Center. “The First Responder Lifeline Program was intentionally designed to provide a supportive environment where public safety professionals can focus on healing, building resilience and regaining hope for the future.”
Program development and features
The curriculum was created in partnership with the UNLV School of Social Work and the Nevada Department of Public Safety. Ari Chelli, Desert Hope Treatment Center’s clinical director, played a key role in the program’s development.
“This program allows first responders to heal alongside peers who understand the culture, stress and realities of public safety work,” said Chelli. “That shared understanding helps foster trust, connection and a stronger foundation for long-term recovery.”
The program includes confidential treatment protected by federal privacy laws, separate admissions, living quarters and dining facilities from other patients, and expedited admissions designed to reduce wait times. No referral is required.
Treatment includes trauma-informed care, including EMDR and other evidence-based therapies focused on PTSD, cumulative trauma, moral injury and critical incident stress. The program also offers career-conscious treatment planning and return-to-work support.
Dr. Kendra Still, wellness program manager for the Nevada Department of Public Safety, State Police, and a former Nevada State Trooper, contributed to the program’s development.
“Through the leadership of the Nevada Department of Public Safety, State Police, and the dedication of our many community partners, we are building a stronger foundation of support for those who spend their lives taking care of others,” said Still. “When our first responders are healthy — physically, mentally and emotionally — the communities they serve benefit as well.”
For more information about the First Responder Lifeline Program, call (702) 670-0137 or visit DesertHopeTreatment.com.
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