Listening to America: Rest for First Responders
Gray TV
When Americans need help, they depend on EMTs, firefighters and police. But who do the nation’s first responders reach out to when they’re in crisis?
Let’s Talk Dispatch Podcast
ReST for First Responders | Dr. Rita Brock
This episode dives into the world of moral distress and why frontline heroes need to prioritize their mental well-being. Dr. Brock shares her journey in developing the ReST program and its remarkable impact on those who put their lives on the line every day.
Responder Resilience Podcast
Breaking the Chains of Moral Injury | S4 E26
Dr. Brock breaks down the nuances and lays bare the often-overlooked emotional scars of moral distress. What exactly causes this distress? What does it look like in real life?
First Responder Wellness Podcast
Ep. 9, What Is Moral Injury?
Dr. Rita Brock was the featured guest on the First Responder Wellness Podcast, hosted by award-winning documentarian Conrad Weaver, to outline the difference between moral injury and PTSD.
Advocating for the HEROES Act
ABC 7 News, Washington D.C.
ABC 7 News discussed the ever-growing importance of the HEROES Act that would support the ongoing mental health crises that first responders face every day.
Communities Across South Florida Honor National Police Week
NBC6 Miami
NBC6 has more on how several agencies, including VOA’s ReST 4 First Responders program, are helping first responders who may be in need.
First Responders Find Help Through VOA|ReST
EMS1 Network
Director of VOA’s Shay Moral Injury Center Dr. Rita Brock opines on the crisis facing first responders across the country and the gap for help that VOA|ReST is addressing.
Badge of Honor Podcast
Ep. 24, VOA First Responder ReST Program
Staff from VOA Florida discussed VOA|ReST 4 First Responders on the Badge of Honor Podcast, delving into how this program is serving first responders in Florida.
EMS Improv: The Good in You Is Wanting Out Again
The Journal of Emergency Medical Services Podcast
Director of VOA’s Shay Moral Injury Center Dr. Rita Brock and VOA|ReST facilitator James Wong spoke about moral injury, seeking connection, compassion and love.
January 6th Mental Impacts
WJLA Washington D.C.
It will be two years since the January 6th insurrection, and since that deadly day, Americans have seen the effects of that experience on Capitol Police officers and Hill staffers. Dr. Rita Brock joined WJLA with insight into the lasting mental health impacts.
Help Now Available for Cops with Moral Injuries
Police Magazine
While many understand the impact of post-traumatic stress disorder on veterans, police officers and other first responders, that is different than moral injury. Director of the Shay Moral Injury Center Dr. Rita Brock and VOA|ReST Program Manager Anne Forester discussed the benefits and necessity of VOA|ReST in Police Magazine.
VOA Helps Homeless, Elderly, and Children Across the Nation
FOX News Channel
Volunteers of America spent Christmas afternoon with Fox News Media, sharing how VOA empowers communities by serving veterans, first responders, children, and families during the holidays.
First Responders Support
WJLA Washington D.C.
The holidays can be an extremely stressful for first responders, with many reporting burnout during this season. Dr. Rita Brock joined WJLA to discuss how VOA plans to support these important emergency workers.
Colorado first responders explore solutions to ‘moral distress’
Denver 7
First responders save lives for a living, often at a cost to their well-being. Denver 7 News explained how VOA|ReST 4 First Responders combats the moral injury and burnout experienced by frontline caregivers in Colorado.
Who cares for those who care for us? The mental health crisis among first responders
KDFW Dallas
Burnout and mental health difficulties are at a crisis point among first responders. CBS Texas shared how VOA|ReST 4 First Responders is caring for those who care for us.
Supporting Veterans Battling Moral Injury
VA News
VA features the work of VOA|ReST 4 Veterans to build resilience and overcome challenges they face in confronting moral injury.
A Mental Health Break: Switching Worlds After Struggling to Understand
Mental Health Break Podcast
Drawing from her own experience, Dr. Rita Brock shared how overwhelmed Americans can manage moral distress, including children as they begin school again, on A Mental Health Break Podcast. She had a hand in developing VOA|ReST 4 First Responders to help frontline workers who are suffering from moral injury and moral distress.
Volunteers of America Launches ReST for First Responders
Nexstar
“They’re the first frontline on anything disastrous and harmful happening to people,” says Dr. Rita Brock. Nexstar D.C. explores how VOA|ReST serves first responders in light of high resignation and low recruitment nationwide.
Newsroom with Brooke Baldwin
CNN
At the height of the pandemic, Dr. Rita Brock appeared on CNN to discuss moral injury and the COVID-19 pandemic, including estimates at the time that the COVID-19 virus could kill an additional 75,000 Americans due to “deaths of despair.”
Media Contact
All media inquiries can be texted or emailed to David Burch, Senior Director of Communications.
David Burch, Senior Director of Communications
dburch@voa.org | (703) 341-5054
Our work helping frontline care workers with moral distress has also been featured by:
