Author: Brady Thompson, MSW, August 14th, 2025
First responders and veterans experience disproportionately high rates of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, substance misuse, and suicide due to repeated exposure to traumatic events, moral injury, and occupational stress (Berger et al., 2012; Petrie et al., 2018). Despite this, many trauma programs do not meet their specific needs. This white paper asserts that residential, holistic, trauma-focused programs designed specifically for these groups deliver better outcomes than outpatient options (Marcantoni et al., 2024). By immersing participants in peer-supported environments and combining evidence-based therapies with complementary modalities such as mindfulness and yoga, these programs promote trust, cultural safety, and lasting recovery (Gallegos et al., 2017).
Keywords: ptsd, trauma stress recovery program (TSRP)
