Supporting Your Journey
Our Mission & Approach
Our mission is to empower and equip first responders who strive for hope, health, and a new mindset in recovery. We understand the unique challenges of your profession and work alongside you and your support network to break free from the stigmas of addiction. With the right help and resources, you can achieve life-changing sobriety and reclaim your well-being.
Chateau Health & Wellness looks beyond just identifying and adjusting behaviors -- we explore the core reasons impacting your mindset, trauma, and environment. We utilize comprehensive trauma informed therapies like the Arbinger Outward Mindset and Dharma Recovery.
Overcoming PTSD: Navigating Workers' Compensation to Reclaim First Responders' Mental Well-being
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is the most well known and one of the most common unseen issues for many first responders. While it is often characterized by intrusive memories, heightened alertness, and emotional numbness, it is important to remember that PTSD isn’t just about one traumatic event.
Worker's comp, while originally designed to cover physical injuries, has evolved to acknowledge the psychological wounds workers bear, especially those in high-risk professions. Many regions are now broadening their policies to encompass therapies that address trauma-induced conditions.
Our Programs
COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAMS FOR YOU JOURNEY
Who We Help
Using Workers Compensation:
Benefits & Steps
Navigating the Legal Obstacles of PTSD and Workers' Comp
While legal terminology and workers' compensation laws often classify PTSD as a "mental-mental" claim due to its origins in mental or psychological workplace conditions, the real-world repercussions of this condition extend further.
"Individuals grappling with PTSD face a range of challenges, including heightened rates of work absenteeism, an increased frequency of medical visits, a greater likelihood of unemployment or underemployment, reduced hourly wages, and elevated difficulties in meeting work-related demands." - Center for Workplace Health
The repercussions of PTSD and other mental conditions arising from exposure to traumatic events often manifest gradually, sometimes taking months or even years to fully develop. Unfortunately, during this time frame, the statute of limitations for filing a workers' compensation claim may have expired.
We Treat the Whole Self
-
Comprehensive Assessments and Testing
-
Substance Abuse & Mental Health Education
-
Trauma & Development Focused Treatment
-
Reconnecting with Family & Values
-
Comprehensive Aftercare Planning
Mindset Training
-
Shift How We See Others
-
Shift How We See Ourselves
-
Change How We Approach Conflict
A New Relationship with Trauma
-
Processing Unresolved Events
-
Developing Trauma Response Skills
-
Expanding Stress Tolerance
The Steps to Getting Help
Chateau provides a range of trauma-specific modalities to help address and process your concerns including:
-
Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprogramming (EMDR)
-
Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)
-
Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)
-
Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART)
-
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
-
Brainspotting & Neurofeedback
-
Motivational Interviewing (MI)
-
Individual & Group Therapy
-
RehabilitationNutritional
-
Family Systems Therapy
Aftercare Support & Transition
At Chateau, our ultimate goal is to help you overcome your addiction, avoid relapse and build a fulfilling life. Continued support is key to ongoing mental and physical health.
Family Education & Support
Provides Responder family and community support.
We believe that the off-duty environment plays a huge role in the overall wellness of First Responders.
12 Month Agency Responder Aftercare
-
First Responders who enter our residential program can count on ongoing support from our alumni resources.
-
First Responders can also count on continued communication with departments if needed.
Navigating Your Department's EAP
You cannot work during inpatient rehab; however, you can keep your job with either your department's existing Employee Assistant Program (EAP) or with the help of the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Free PDF Download: "Navigating Your EAP"
Learn how to start the conversation, ask the right questions, and what Chateau Health & Wellness can do to help.
Learning More About
First Responder Health
Common Issues:
You Are Not Alone
Over 80%
of first responders experience traumatic events on the job.
About 85%
of first responders have experienced symptoms related to mental health.
Up to 30%
of first responders are estimated to develop behavioral health conditions.
Only 49%
of first responders were offered "Psychological First Aid" after traumatic events.
Repeated Exposure to Trauma
First responders have a high exposure to trauma during their careers. Repetitive trauma results in physical and mental fatigue which can manifest as job stress, PTS, anxiety, depression, family problems, and addiction.
Putting Others First
“Essential workers are remaining strong and resilient for their patients, families, friends, and communities; however, the great personal risk they are taking to keep everybody else safe and healthy can have a toll on their own mental health.” -- Doreen Marshall, PHD
PTSD / PTS / PTSI Concerns
Trauma comes in all shapes and sizes. Research shows that it is a gateway to mental health issues, strained relationships, communication problems, and potential substance abuse. It's estimated that 30 percent of first responders develop behavioral health conditions as a result of trauma.
Alcohol & Substance Abuse
When emergency responders are faced with trauma and mental health issues, some turn to physical activity or counseling while others resort to alcoholic beverages because it's easy and accessible, especially when nearly half of first responders are not debriefed properly after traumatic events.
Retirement & Civilian Life Transition
Transitioning into civilian life after being a first responder can be difficult because there are not many jobs out there that offer the same level of challenge as emergency work does. This can leave first responders feeling lost and unfulfilled after retirement.
Addressing the Stigma: Talking About Mental Health
5x More Likely
First responders are 5x more likely to experience depression and PTSD.
7 out of 10
7 in 10 first responders say they rarely to never use mental health services.
57%
of first responders fear negative repercussions for seeking help.
40%
of first responders fear being demoted or fired for asking for mental health help.
Changing the Culture
As a first responder, you have an important role to play in helping others. Strength and bravery are highly valued traits — but it can also mean taking on "whatever the situation requires" without hesitation or fear for your own wellbeing.
Until recently, there has been a stigma around first responder's mental health conditions. Fortunately, this mentality, which perpetuates this misconception that these individuals are weak, is slowly disappearing.
Stigma By the Numbers
The stigma around mental health conditions is deeply engrained in our society and culture, but first responders have seen the positive effects that come from addressing it.
More than 7 out 8 police officers (and nearly 9 out 10 firefighters) say they'd be more likely to seek professional counseling if leadership within their organization speaks openly about experiences with depression or anxiety.
University of Phoenix Survey
First responders believe in the benefits of professional mental health treatment but are worried about repercussions; unfortunately this is what makes many first responders unwilling or hesitant about using the services.
The majority of first responders correctly believe that mental health treatment works for conditions like PTSD, depression and substance use disorders.
First Responder Resources
COVID-19 Articles
-
Coping With Loneliness During the COVID-19 Pandemic
-
Tips for Supporting a Loved One Affected by COVID-19
-
How to Practice Empathy in the Time of Coronavirus