This project, Promoting Access via Outreach, Education and Program Development, led by the Auxilia Initiative, expanded access to early mental health support for first responders and community members in rural Bayfield and Ashland counties. Through outreach, relationship-building and volunteer recruitment, the organization strengthened its referral network, increased awareness of its services and recruited ten additional volunteer therapists.
The Challenge
The Auxilia Initiative serves Bayfield and Ashland counties, where access to mental health care is limited by provider shortages and lengthy wait lists. First responders in these rural communities also face burnout and cumulative stress while working in volunteer-run departments that experience high staff turnover. The Auxilia Initiative provides free early mental health intervention following a crisis, but many first responders are unfamiliar with the organization’s approach or how it differs from other post-crisis interventions. First responders and community members may also be unaware that the organization exists or how to access its services.
As a newly formed organization with many volunteer therapists ready to serve, the Auxilia Initiative also needed stronger systems to support its growth. Additional outreach, program development and service coordination were necessary to expand its referral network, onboard volunteers and ensure services could be delivered efficiently and effectively.
Project Goals
The goal of this project was to promote access to early mental health intervention through outreach, education and program development. The Auxilia Initiative planned to:
Build referral networks with local churches, schools, shelters, therapists and other community resources
Develop onboarding processes for therapist and non-therapist volunteers
Create materials for resiliency training and outreach presentations
Increase community awareness, volunteer recruitment and organizational capacity
Results
Through the award, Auxilia worked with a consultant to expand its outreach and recruitment efforts in order to provide direct mental health services and support. Activities included meeting with local first responder mental health experts, developing outreach materials, coordinating therapist onboarding and contract signing and sharing information with EMS, fire and law enforcement departments. The consultant also attended first responder department meetings, coordinated with community members interested in first responder mental health and hosted an informational booth at the Bayfield County Fair.
These efforts strengthened the Auxilia Initiative’s referral network, expanded access to therapist training and increased its capacity to serve first responders and community members. Since outreach efforts began, the organization recruited 10 additional volunteer therapists and continued building connections with community behavioral health providers.
