MUSC Resilient Responder Program

The MUSC Resilient Responder Program was established in 2020 to fill a need for front line personnel serving in various positions throughout the greater LowCountry of South Carolina frequently responding to traumatic circumstances. We initially began with firefighters, forensic teams and coroners but have since added police and detention officers, special traffic teams, and animal care workers.

We believe that positive mental health begins at the top and filters down through an organization. Our goal is twofold - to help the individual manage stress by teaching resiliency skills for processing trauma and to help organizations maintain a healthy workforce by providing a tool based, stigma free progressive wellness environment. The wellness approach includes a bridge into mental health resources available through your company for those individuals seeking additional care.

Services available through our program include:

• Mental health training and planning services customized for the individual employee
• Wellness and resiliency group training programs
  •  Certain courses approved by the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy (SCCJA) for continuing education credit
• Individual annual check-ins (not to replace individual therapy)
  • In-person and virtual options to accommodate shift work and/or busy schedules
• Mental health consultation and referral for personnel involved in critical incidents
• Real time on-scene consultation
• Post-traumatic event support to law enforcement, emergency management, fire, and rescue agencies at the local, state, and federal levels
• Ride-a-longs with first responders in their field
• Consultation with organizations regarding wellness and peer team program development
  • Out-of-state consultations can be held virtually

The expertise of Clinicians leading our MUSC Resilient Responder Program are licensed and/or certified at the highest levels of their field. 

We offer medical and clinical expert team members. Additionally, Certified First Responder Counselors have been further trained as Clinical Peer Team Support Members through Law Enforcement and Fire Service.

For additional information, please contact forensicpsychiatry@musc.edu.