Weyerhaeuser Partners with Firefighter Behavioral Health Alliance on Mental Health Awareness and Resources for Wildland Firefighters
Thursday, May 12, 2022 1:00 pm
SEATTLE (News release) -- Weyerhaeuser Company announced a new partnership with Firefighter Behavioral Health Alliance, Fighting Fires Together, that will provide support and resources for wildland firefighters and their families, as well as increase awareness of the importance of mental health assistance for these first responders. "Protecting our forests and communities from wildfire is a responsibility we all share, and we truly appreciate all those who work the front lines limiting the impacts of wildfire," says Bill Frings, vice president of Western Timberlands for Weyerhaeuser. "We are proud to help build awareness and ensure wildland firefighters have access to mental health resources and the support they need to carry out this challenging work." The Fighting Fires Together campaign launch coincides with Mental Health Awareness and Wildfire Awareness months in May. Throughout the month and beyond, the campaign will shine a spotlight on the wildland firefighters who risk their lives to protect our lands and communities and the mental toll this duty can take. Weyerhaeuser has partnered with FBHA to create a resource hub that includes content especially designed for wildland firefighters, including mental health tips, educational articles and contacts for support groups and counselors located in the Pacific Northwest (including B.C.). This partnership serves as an extension of FBHA's mission to collaborate, develop and implement behavioral health awareness, prevention, intervention and post-crisis strategies to provide firefighters with an easily accessible and confidential source of information. "The mental and behavioral health of our wildland firefighters is a vital issue, and this partnership is helping fulfil an important need for culturally competent resources for our firefighters," said Jeff Dill, founder of Firefighters Behavioral Health Alliance. "FBHA has validated more than 50 wildland firefighters who have completed suicide, and we believe this only accounts for approximately 65 percent of reporting on these tragic losses." To learn more about Weyerhaeuser's Fighting Fires Together campaign, visit www.wy.com/ ABOUT WEYERHAEUSER ABOUT FIREFIGHTER BEHAVIORAL HEALTH ALLIANCE
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