Guides

The Washington State First Responder Peer Support & Wellness Toolkit provides practical, adaptable guidance to help public safety agencies promote mental wellness and peer support throughout a first responder’s career. It emphasizes voluntary, non-disciplinary support, early intervention, healthy coping strategies, appropriate behavioral health referrals, and continued follow-up. It also clarifies the boundaries between peer support, clinical treatment, supervision, and investigations, while highlighting the importance of confidentiality under Washington law. Agencies are encouraged to customize the Toolkit to their policies, resources, and legal requirements to build a supportive culture that strengthens employee wellbeing, resilience, and organizational readiness.