Albemarle County, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – Albemarle County Fire Rescue is placing a spotlight on mental health support during Mental Health Awareness Month, emphasizing the importance of psychological well-being for first responders. Deputy Chief Heather Childress joined Morning News to share the department’s ongoing efforts to create a culture where seeking help is encouraged. “We wear green shirts every Friday in May… just as a visual reminder that we’re openly supporting mental health and behavioral wellness for our first responders,” said Childress.  

Beyond visual reminders, the department offers extensive resources, including a peer support team, an embedded clinician, and regular officer training to recognize signs of struggle. “Every time you see something, like a horrible wreck… those things are drops in your bucket,” Childress explained. “Your bucket can only hold so many things before it starts to spill over.” She noted the critical need to provide support not only for job-related stress but also for personal challenges that impact work performance. 

Childress also highlighted how the stigma around mental health has decreased in recent years. “Since I started doing this, there were times when… we don’t talk about it…. Don’t be upset about it. Don’t cry… That doesn’t happen anymore,” she said. She added that increased outreach to peer support and mental health clinicians reassures her that the department’s efforts are working. “We really hope that people are willing… I see how many times people are calling our mental health embedded clinician and our peer support system providers and it really reassures me that we’re creating this culture that we’ve been working so hard on.” 

Listen to the full conversation here: