Changing the culture of mental health for first responders and veterans.
Written By Cynthia McFarland
It’s a tragic realty that more first responders in the United States die by suicide every year than in the line of duty.
Determined to change that sad statistic, multiple organizations have dedicated their efforts to helping veterans, law enforcement officers, firefighters and other first responders take a proactive approach to mental health.
Two of these organizations are based in Ocala.
H3 Adventures
“The whole goal is to change the mental health culture in our first responders,” says Jimbo Butler, assistant director of H3 Adventures.
With a mission to “Heal Hometown Heroes (H3) through Adventures,” the program offers hunting, fishing, boating, hiking and other outdoor activities to first responders.
H3 Adventures is a division of 10 Can Outdoors, which was founded a decade ago by Matthew Burke, Ph.D., a Florida native and 13-year Air Force combat veteran.
“10 Can has been doing amazing services for our veterans and first responders, but we saw there was still a need in our local first responders’ community, so we started this division devoted to them,” explains Jimbo, a former firefighter.
H3 Adventures offers an array of outdoor therapy sessions, including hunting, fishing, kayaking, mountain biking and even pickleball. It’s a different version of mental health first aid.
“We’re doing a lot of fishing trips now up and down the St. Johns River and alligator hunting starts soon. We don’t charge anything; all activities are funded by grassroots efforts from donations, bike riding fundraisers and selling T-shirts,” says Jimbo, who now works as an electrician but also puts in 40-plus hours a week volunteering with H3 Adventures.
“We believe it’s easier to raise a warrior than to save a hero. We try to teach them that getting into the outdoors is a form of mental therapy and to get them in the habit of this. It’s about mentoring the next generation of first responders,” he says, noting that many youth participants have parents who are either first responders or in the military.
“We’re building relationships in the 352 area. We need to take care of our people,” says Jimbo.
H3 Adventures partners with multiple non-profit organizations and local businesses in Ocala. For example, Santos Bike Shop sponsors all their biking adventures.
To get involved as a volunteer or if you’re a first responder wanting to participate, visit h3adventures.org.
10-7 Fishing
In police code, “10-7” means “off-duty.”
With 14 years in law enforcement, Tim Marton knows all too well how crucial it is to have healthy ways to decompress when off duty.
As a fisherman, he also understands the positive impact of time spent on the water, whether it’s with his family or the guys.
Having lived in Marion County since 2009, Tim is a deputy with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office. Last year, he and his wife, Patti, launched 10-7 Fishing, a business designed to support healthy outdoor options for first responders to escape the daily stress they face while on duty.
As Tim explains, the program is not about showing off by catching big fish or setting records. It’s all about spending time on the water and letting your guard down in a safe place.
Each 10-7 Fishing outing on local waterways is customized around the individual.
“We cater it to whatever the person wants and how they want to relax. Whatever suits them best is what we work out for them,” says Tim, noting that this could be hanging out with their family on the water or just guys doing some serious fishing.
Participants don’t pay for anything.
“We have recently started working closely with H3 Adventures,” says Tim. “My ultimate goal is to get a network of local charter captains and use our funds to offer three to five charters a month.”
He hopes that as the program grows, first responders will turn to 10-7 Fishing not just to recover from trauma but also to help build an inner resilience to the stress that is inherent in their professions.
Although Tim has dealt with his share of traumatic events on duty, he’s grateful to have a solid family life that balances the toll his job takes.
“Family is one of the most important things,” says Tim, a father of two. “If you make your life good at home and can open up, then you’ll be in a much better place if trauma comes.”
Rather than picking up every extra shift or working so much overtime, he hopes that first responders will take a little time to build resilience into their lives by spending time on the water.
To learn how you can be involved or if you’re a first responder seeking healthy options for dealing with stress, contact facebook.com/Ten7Fishing or their Instagram page @10_7fishing.