This event directly supports our local first responders, the everyday heroes who sacrifice so much to protect our communities. Smash the Stigma is more than just a fundraiser it’s a movement to break the silence around mental health and provide real, lasting support for those who serve.

At Break the Stigma, we are committed to offering mental health resources, education, and peer-driven support tailored specifically for first responders. What makes us unique is that our organization was founded by a firefighter this is a mission created for first responders, by first responders.

We host seminars, summits, and conferences designed to equip first responders, their leadership teams, and their families with the tools to recognize signs of struggle and act early. Our ultimate goal is visibility and access ensuring every first responder knows they are not alone and has the resources they need to thrive.

With your support, our fundraising goal will help us:

Build a high-quality network of vetted mental health professionals specializing in first responder care
Deliver workshops and resiliency training directly to departments and agencies
Create the first-ever blueprint for proactive mental health programs in the first responder community
Launch evidence-based research and advocacy to influence policy and expand access to services
Raise public awareness to shift the culture from reactive to preventative mental health care
Every dollar raised brings us one step closer to a future where no first responder has to struggle in silence. Together, we can break the stigma and build a stronger, healthier community—for them, for their families, and for all of us.