The Behavioral Health section of the Wellness Center is focused on promoting and preserving mental and emotional well-being. We have a range of no-cost services available to you and your family, including mental health counseling, Peer Support, & Chaplaincy. This Behavioral Health section of the website will provide you with information and resources to help you maintain optimal mental, emotional, and spiritual health. Please don't hesitate to reach out to any of us. We welcome you!
Behavioral Health
Experiences
Public safety members have unique jobs and are often exposed to things in their line of work that the public may never see. Thus, this section provides information about common symptoms and conditions experienced by members in public safety.
Related Articles
Quitalcohol.com has articles about the affects of alcohol and additional educational resources. This is a story about "The Affects of Alcoholism on the Family"
Emotions are often triggered unexpectedly. What happens in the next few seconds following a trigger determines the difference between whether an individual will react or respond. A reaction typically provokes more reactions that seem to have no end.
Over time, exposure to danger, chaos and tragedy can cause stress which takes a toll on first responders’ mental and physical health.
First Responder Resiliency:Smashing the Stigma. Full length documentary.
You can view it at smashingthestigma.com.
First Responder Resilience:Smashing the Stigma. A documentary by Tania Glenn.
Resources
Contacts
Marc Kruse
Psychologist
E-mail: marc.kruse@austintexas.gov
Phone: (512) 974-0225
Office:
517 S Pleasant Valley
Dr. Marc Kruse is the Staff Psychologist for AFD and Austin-Travis County EMS and an Assistant Professor (Research) in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Texas A&M Health Science Center. Dr. Kruse is a licensed clinical psychologist who earned his Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Austin. Before joining AFD/ATCEMS, Marc worked at the Central Texas VA Center of Excellence for Research on Returning War Veterans. Dr. Kruse has also conducted clinical research on firefighters and first-responders from across the country. He lives in Georgetown with his wife and two children.