Rebuilding Recovery and Mental Health

10/27/2025

🎃 What an awesome day in Braintree!

Our Rebuilding Recovery and Mental Health Center team joined the Trunk-or-Treat event at the Braintree Masonic Temple, thanks to our very own clinician Rodney Owens, who’s also a proud member of the Masonic fraternity that hosted the event.

It was a great way to connect with local families, hand out candy, and talk with folks about what we do — supporting mental health, recovery, and wellness in our communities.

We’re so thankful for the warm welcome and all the amazing conversations. Can’t wait to do it again next year! 💛

10/21/2025

💙 When the uniform comes off, the mission doesn’t end.

Many first responders struggle with the transition from active duty to leadership roles or retirement — losing the sense of identity, purpose, and camaraderie that once defined daily life.

Our latest blog, “Transitional Times: Handling Role Change, Promotion, or Retirement as a First Responder,” shares practical strategies and heartfelt insights on navigating these big life changes — and reminds every responder that the mission to serve continues, just in a new form.

👉 Read here: https://rebuildingfirstresponders.com/f/transitional-times-handling-role-change-promotion-or-retiring

10/13/2025

When the shift ends, the stress doesn’t always stay at work.

First responders and their families live with the ripple effects of trauma — often silently. Partners feel the weight. Kids sense the tension. The whole family adapts.

In our newest post, we break down what the research shows about this “ripple effect,” and how families can start to rebuild connection and resilience together.

💛 Read the full article here: https://rebuildingfirstresponders.com/f/when-the-job-comes-home-how-first-responder-stress-ripples

09/03/2025

🚨 New Support Group for First Responders 🚨

We are proud to announce the launch of our First Responder Support Group, beginning Thursday, September 18th from 7:30–9:00 PM at our South Easton location.

This free, weekly group will be facilitated by our clinicians on a rotating basis, with the opening session led by Dean Casbarra, Plainville Fire Captain, alongside one of our clinicians.

The group is open to all members of the first responder community—police, fire, EMS, dispatch, corrections, and beyond. Sessions will be available both in-person and virtually, with coffee and pastries provided on-site.

📧 To RSVP, please email 1stresponders@rebuilding-recovery-center.com with your name, contact information, and your first responder background.

We look forward to building a safe, supportive space where first responders can connect, share, and heal—together.

08/19/2025

Blog: The Call Doesn’t End When You Go Home
Introduction: The Invisible Weight

When the sirens fall silent and you step off the clock, the job doesn’t leave with you. For first responders, the emotional echoes—from tragic calls to split-second decisions—linger long after duty ends. Processing those experiences while re-entering home life can fray patience, fuel errors on the job, and deepen emotional exhaustion. What might feel like strength—burying it all to power through—can actually unravel mental stability, often culminating in burnout or even substance use when trauma is left unspoken.

The Unseen Toll: Trauma, Burnout & SUD

First responders face intense trauma on a weekly, sometimes daily basis—yet returning to regular life without processing it creates a dangerous cycle. This suppressed trauma increases risk for mental health conditions and substance use disorders (SUD). National estimates indicate that 22% of first responders experience alcohol or substance use problems—far surpassing many other professions.
(mindthefrontline.org/The Guardian+1UTHealth School of Public Health)

In one nonprofit sample in Texas, 40% met criteria for possible SUD. (ScienceDirect)

Burnout compounds these risks: officers experiencing burnout faced a 117% greater likelihood of suicidal thoughts. (SAMHSA)

It’s clear—what you carry doesn’t stay buried.

Real Stories, Real Struggle

See the rest of the blog article here:
https://rebuildingfirstresponders.com/f/blog-the-call-doesnt-stop-when-you-get-home

08/15/2025

07/28/2025

06/11/2025

🌟 "Therapy that says ‘what happened to you?’ not ‘what’s wrong with you?’" 🌟

Andrew Linberg breaks down the 5 R’s of Trauma-Informed Therapy, a compassionate framework that shapes healing:

Realize trauma is widespread and deeply affects mind, body, and behavior.

Recognize signs—whether overt (flashbacks) or subtle (tension, anxiety).

Respond with tools tailored to you—from EMDR to CBT and somatic approaches.

Resist re-traumatization by giving you control—pause or stop sessions if you need to.

Respect your cultural identity, values, and pace, ensuring therapy honors who you are.

It’s not a technique—it’s a healing mindset that centers safety, choice, and your story. Because recovery isn’t one-size-fits-all—it’s your path, at your pace.