Under the Shield's Innovative Approach Redefines Mental Health Support for First Responders

Susan Lewis Simons, Founder and President of Under the Shield, Inc., recently discussed her organization's mission to provide mental wellness services to first responders and their families on Innovators' Journey. The nonprofit, established in 1992, offers proactive and anonymous support to law enforcement officers, firefighters, military members, and their loved ones through individualized stress coaching and resilience training programs.

Central to Under the Shield's approach is The Simons Theory of the Psychological Garbage Can, developed by Simons herself. This innovative model challenges conventional understanding by reframing Post-Traumatic Stress not as a disorder but as an injury resulting from the unique lifestyle demands of first responders. This perspective shift aims to reduce the stigma associated with seeking mental health support and emphasizes that healing and recovery are achievable outcomes.

The organization's services include comprehensive training programs designed to strengthen resilience for both first responders and their spouses or significant others. By addressing mental wellness proactively rather than reactively, Under the Shield works to prevent the accumulation of psychological stress that can lead to more severe mental health challenges. The interview segment featuring Simons can be viewed here.

This approach represents a significant shift in how mental health support is conceptualized and delivered to those in high-stress professions. By normalizing the psychological impacts of first responder work and providing anonymous access to services, the organization aims to create a more supportive environment for mental wellness. The Psychological Garbage Can theory provides a framework for understanding how repeated exposure to traumatic events affects mental health over time, offering a new paradigm for treatment and support.