Atrium Health’s ‘Compassion Champions’ program supports EMT’s mental health

The initiative gives EMTs access to peer mental health support, a dedicated zen room, and a therapy pet.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Atrium Health created a new program ‘Compassion Champions’ to better support the mental and physical health of its Emergency Medical Technicians.

The program gives EMT’s access to mental health care, a dedicated zen room, and a therapy pet.

The initiative comes in recognition of the unique psychological toll the job takes. According to Atrium Health, EMT’s can experience in a single day what the average person would encounter in a lifetime of highly traumatic events, known as sentinel events, such as deaths and major accidents.

Bud Owens, Atrium Health’s Vice President of mobile services in Georgia, believes the program makes Atrium a pioneer among EMS providers in Georgia.

“I believe we are probably the first EMS service in Georgia who has stepped out. And we have developed internal resources that can meet the needs for our employees, our teammates. When they face the challenges that they face every day, and they know where they can turn to,” Owens said.

The Compassion Champions program is part of a growing movement focused on both the mental and physical well-being of EMTs, with Atrium making a deliberate effort to help its first responders sustain longer careers in the industry.