Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Halley.
Hi Jennifer, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
3FTL was born out of pain and tragedy. 5 years ago, I had a mental health breakdown. I had never experienced anything like this in my life, and the trauma my family and I experienced after being involved in the Stillwater Homecoming Parade crash in 2015, led me to a life working in mental health. 3FTL started when I began to share my personal story about my recovery and the team of people that brought me back to life. God had other plans in mind, as He always does, as He quickly turned my pain into my purpose. My husband is a local first responder. His first captain became part of our family. 1 year after my mental health breakdown, his captain committed suicide. His death once again shook our world. I promised him and his widow that I would never let another first responder suffer in silence. We began to build a team of people, much like the team that helped me, to work with first responders during their most needed time. Little did I know at the time, that more first responders take their own lives than die in the line of duty deaths. Their divorce rate is astronomical. Their anger, sadness, depression, and anxiety surpass the civilian population they serve faithfully. We dedicate each and every hour to bringing them hope and helping them find joy once again.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
This road has been anything but smooth. We have faced many obstacles along the way, but God has given us each and everything we need, in His perfect time. The first obstacle 3FTl faced was locating a team of people to assist with the first responder population. The clinical and medical staff have to specialize in not only trauma but have a general knowledge of public safety, their world, and their needs. This team has taken over 4 years to build, and it grows weekly. With the help of our clinical, medical, and psychiatry director and their teams, we are constantly bringing in more people to add to our referrals. To date, we have 4 people on our medical team and over 40 trauma-based clinicians who specialize and have specific modalities to help first responders heal from trauma. Our peer team has grown throughout the course of 3FTL. Each first responder in 3FTL attends a peer meeting led by local first responders. As our number of first responders grows, so does the need for more peer team leaders, locations, and funding to support this piece of our program.
Funding a non-profit is not easy. We provide the best clinicians and medical team at little to no cost to our first responders, we never let money or payments be a factor in why a first responder, their spouse, or their children cannot attend counseling. Many people have donated to 3FTL to assist the treatments for mental health, but additional giving is needed as our clients grow each week with new first responders wanting and needing help. We started with one first responder; we now sit at over 100 first responders in our program. This number does not include their spouses or their children. To date, we do not have a full-time paid employee on staff and is very much needed.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
3FTL is a comprehensive mental health treatment team providing support, guidance, and accountability for first responders. We exist to save the lives of those who save us.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
I always loved to help people. I was involved in many activities throughout my life and enjoyed working in the medical field. My first career goal was to become a trauma physician assistant, but God told me quickly this was not the area for me! I did, however, enjoy the excitement of trauma and the science involved in medicine. I honestly never thought that I would work in mental health, but I truly believe I have found my purpose. My dad jokes with people and says “we just pointed you in the right direction and got out of your way!”. I still believe this is true!!!
Pricing:
- $3500-8 weeks cash pay price for 1 first responder
- $5000-30 day first responder price to enter into residential rehab that insurance won’t cover
Contact Info:
- Website: www.3ftl.com
- Instagram: jennifer_halley_3ftl
