SC first responders receive mental health check-ins from peers with new program [Video]

SPARTANBURG COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA) – A new program is giving first responders across the Palmetto State access to mental health services on demand.

The new initiative is the South Carolina Peer Connect App. It connects first responders to trained team members and resources that can help them if they need support.

The SC Peer Connect App works like a social media platform, and includes a community of firefighters, law enforcement, and EMS as well as chaplains and psychologists.

The South Carolina EMS Association told 7NEWS there is a news feed with information about mental health services and resources.

“There’s really no one-size-fits-all kind of solution, but this is really as close as we can get,” said Dr. Mandy Gattis of the South Carolina EMS Association, who helped to get the program off the ground. “It was created to prevent neglect, reduce that stigma that’s associated with mental health.”

First responders can request check-ins from their peers and receive referrals for psychiatric …