Wayland VFD to offer informational program on research study for first responders
Baylor Scott and White Research Institute in Waco is offering a chance to participate in a research study concerning firefighters and other first responders who suffer from anger, depression, substance abuse or post-traumatic stress. On Thursday, Aug. 1, representatives from Baylor Scott and White will give a presentation about the program at the Wayland Volunteer Fire Department.
The program will be from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Wayland fire department, located at 10276 FM 1852. The presentation will be free and open to all public safety personnel, including firefighters, EMS and law enforcement.
“There are a lot of issues with firefighters and EMS, when it comes to depression and anxiety, and a lot of people don’t want to talk about it,” said Brian Rogers, a Wayland VFD volunteer. “There’s a lot of suicides among first responders and EMS. It all goes back to depression and anxiety. It’s just one of those things people don’t want to talk about. And this program is to try and get people to open up and talk about it.”
The program on Thursday evening will offer information about the research study.
According to information from Baylor Scott and White, the study will be free to participants and will offer 12 weeks of one-on-one therapy sessions via video calls. The study is part of Baylor Scott and White’s Warriors Research Institute.
