The 911 Wellness Group

07/10/2025

🌟 Exciting News! 🌟

We are thrilled to introduce the newest member of our team, Dr. Sara Khan, a skilled psychologist and testing specialist! With a Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) in clinical forensic psychology and extensive experience working with diverse populations, Dr. Khan is passionate about providing empathetic care to those in need.

Her background includes working with at-risk youth, incarcerated adults, and first responders, where she has developed a talent for conducting assessments and creating tailored treatment plans. Dr. Khan is dedicated to fostering resilience and supporting mental wellness in individuals of all ages.

Additionally, she conducts school-based evaluations for IEP and 504 plans to ensure students receive the support they deserve.

Join us in welcoming Dr. Khan to our community! We’re excited about the valuable insights and compassionate care she will bring to our practice.

Call now to schedule at 847-550-4520 or visit our website: https://911well.com/clinicians/ for more information.

Welcome, Dr. Sara Khan!

07/01/2025

Hey hey hey, happy first of the month!

We've added a new face to our awesome roster. We are excited to welcome Ashley Smith, LCSW, CADC.

Ashley Smith is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker dedicated to providing compassionate support. Armed with a master’s degree in social work from the University of Illinois at Chicago, she specializes in Mental Health and is a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) with over a decade of experience. Ashley helps individuals and couples navigate challenges such as anxiety, depression, addiction, relationship struggles, and significant life transitions.

With a genuine commitment to creating a welcoming and nonjudgmental environment, she empowers clients to find their inner strength and reconnect with their authentic selves. In her work with couples, Ashley fosters open communication and trust, guiding them towards deeper emotional connections.

Her integrative therapeutic approach blends evidence-based practices, focusing on restoring safety, agency, and empowerment in her clients’ lives. Ashley values the healing power of authentic connection and compassionate care.

Ashley's work with veterans and their families highlights her dedication to service, providing crisis support and connecting them with vital resources. Ashley honors those who have dedicated their lives to serving our country by creating safe spaces for healing and growth, inspiring resilience and hope in every encounter.

Call now to schedule 847-550-4520 or check out our website: https://911well.com/clinicians/ for more info!

Welcome, Ashley!

06/13/2025

April and Chris representing the team at the Wellness Resource Fair, held at the Office of Emergency Management in Chicago! We love our 911 Telecommunications Professionals!!

06/07/2025

To the Chicago Police Department, we grieve for you and with you ❤️‍🩹

05/20/2025

Our First Responder Spousal/SO Support Group meets again tomorrow, Wednesday, May 21, from 6:30-8:00 pm at our office in Lake Zurich.

Due to the unique and intense nature of first responder work—firefighters, police officers, EMTs, paramedics, and others in emergency services; spousal/so support is so very important. Here's why:

1. Emotional Toll of the Job
Exposure to trauma: First responders often witness death, violence, and extreme emergencies regularly. This can lead to PTSD, anxiety, or depression. Spouses are secondary witnesses: They experience the emotional aftermath—mood swings, nightmares, detachment—without being trained or prepared for it.

2. Unpredictable and Demanding Schedules
Long shifts, overnight work, or 24-hour calls mean missed holidays, birthdays, or family events. This can strain relationships and place extra responsibility on spouses for managing home and children.

3. High Divorce Rates in the Profession
First responders face higher-than-average divorce rates, in part due to stress, emotional distancing, and communication issues. Spousal support systems—therapy, peer groups, workshops—can help navigate these challenges before they lead to breakdown.

4. Lack of Understanding from General Public
Most civilians don’t understand the weight of the job or its impact on relationships. Spousal support groups provide a safe space where partners can relate to others with similar experiences.

5. Maintaining Family Stability
When the spouse of a first responder is supported emotionally and practically, it directly impacts the mental well-being of the responder and the overall stability of the family.

6. Building Resilience and Connection
Support empowers spouses with coping tools, communication strategies, and awareness of mental health red flags. This work strengthens marriages, parenting roles, and personal well-being.

05/13/2025

Such an important quote from Vivian Eney, a police widow; her words are etched in the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial.🌹

Tonight the 37th Annual Candlelight Vigil will take place to honor law enforcement officers from the past year who have lost their lives in the line of duty in protection of their communities.

In 1962, President Kennedy proclaimed May 15 as National Peace Officers Memorial Day and the calendar week in which May 15 falls, as National Police Week. Established by a joint resolution of Congress in 1962, National Police Week pays special recognition to those law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty for the safety and protection of others.

05/05/2025

You run into danger when others run away. Your courage saves lives — but it can take a toll. This International Firefighters' Day, we honor your sacrifice and stand by you. Let us help give you the tools to protect your mental health, the way you protect us all.

Visit our website www.911.com or call 847-550-4520 to be connected with a clinician or find out more about our services. 🔥🚒

04/23/2025

We mourn with our brothers and sisters of Wheeling Police Department as they pay tribute to Cmdr. Jim Borchardt today. Please consider donating to his family through the Wheeling Police Unity Foundation: https://wheelingpoliceunityfoundation.square.site

We have received many sincere inquiries about how to honor the memory of our fallen officer, Jim Borchardt. In response, the Wheeling Police Unity Foundation is now accepting donations specifically to assist with his funeral costs. https://wheelingpoliceunityfoundation.square.site All contributions will go directly toward helping his family cover these expenses. Your kindness and support during this challenging time will pay tribute to his service.

For information regarding Commander Borchardt’s funeral services, please visit Kolssak’s website: https://www.funerals.pro/obituaries/james-borchardt

04/15/2025

Our next meeting is tomorrow, Wednesday, April 16, from 6:30-8pm for the First Responder Spousal/Significant Other Support Group. Join us as we talk about resiliency and personal growth while navigating relationships with our first responders!

Registration is required for this group but it's as easy as calling April to sign up at 847-550-4520 or emailing her at april@911well.com See you tomorrow evening!

04/14/2025

Thank you, Dispatchers! 🎧📞The second week in April is National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week and the community's chance to publicly thank these first of the first responders for what an incredible job they do daily to make sure everyone is cared for in a timely way.

Here are some ways to show your appreciation:
🍪 send treats specifically to dispatch centers within departments
👍 share this post and tag a dispatcher to acknowledge what a great job they do
🖍 teach your kids about telecommunicators and have them create appreciation cards or pictures to drop off at centers

Any telecommunicators needing any help with work or personal stressors, please give us a call at 847-550-4520, we're here for you. We have specific evidence-based and trauma-informed therapy modalities to help you in your journey toward better mental wellness and growth.

04/11/2025

We loved getting out of the office on this sunny day to spread the word of officer wellness during roll call, thanks for having us! 🚔

If your department, police or fire, would like to have us out to your station for your members to learn more about the 911 Wellness Group as a resource, please give us a call at 847-550-4520

03/27/2025

We celebrate first responder wellness everyday and love the content Lexipol has been producing specifically for this week!

Check out this short video by Dr. Jamie Brower for a mental health inventory you can do to catch changes before they become problems: https://lexipol.wistia.com/medias/q1db7pnv3w

Hope all of our departments are finding unique ways to promote wellness this week!