Contact us. We are here to help.
Address
P.O. Box 320112
Cocoa Beach, FL, 32932
Cocoa Beach, FL, 32932
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© 2025 Survive First. All Rights Reserved.
Your Life Matters
Resources for first responders and their families seeking information to help navigate mental health challenges
A First Responder's Life Cannot Be Compromised.
Each and every day, countless first responders answer the call for help, oftentimes enduring wounds that time cannot seem to heal. Throughout one's career as a first responder, repeated exposure to trauma is likely. Left unchecked, the results can be damaging, and even deadly. Year after year, more first responders die by their own hand than in the line of duty. Survive First is determined to change that statistic.
#livehappy
#livehappy
Mission
Survive First is a 501(c)3 whose mission is to reduce first responder suicide through quality education, peer support, and mental health and wellness resources, while fostering a greater sense of community and awareness amongst first responders and their supporters. Survive First will strive to eliminate the stigma often associated with seeking mental health treatment.
We are a resource for first responders and their families seeking information to help navigate the mental health challenges a career in public safety and health fields often bring.
All communications are confidential. No first responder is alone. There is help. We are here.
We are a resource for first responders and their families seeking information to help navigate the mental health challenges a career in public safety and health fields often bring.
All communications are confidential. No first responder is alone. There is help. We are here.
We Care From Experience
Survive First was founded by Doug and Karen Monda, with a passionate and dedicated Board of Directors, to help first responders and their families navigate the mental health challenges that can occur with a career as a first responder.
We provide:
- Educational opportunities for first responders and their families.
- Resources for treatment planning for active and retired first responders.
- Financial assistance for treatment through our Treatment Assistance Fund.
- Opportunities for first responders and their family members to become actively engaged in their overall health and wellness through wellness support groups.
Symptoms of PTSD
Know the symptoms to help those around you #livehappy
Cognition & Mood Changes
- Inability to recall key features of event
- Negative beliefs about self or world
- Distorted blame
- Persistent fear, horror, anger, guilt, shame
- Diminished interest in activities
- Feeling alienated
- Inability to feel positive emotions
Intrusion
- Involuntary or Recurrent memories
- Traumatic Nightmares or Night Terrors
- Flashbacks
- Intense or Prolonged Distress After Exposure to Reminders
Avoidance
- Thoughts / Feelings
- People/Conversations / Situations
- Objects / Places
- Social / Physical Activities
Arousal & Reactivity
- Involuntary or Recurrent memories
- Traumatic Nightmares or Night Terrors
- Flashbacks
- Intense or Prolonged Distress After Exposure to Reminders
Testimonials
"I was a police office for 17 years. In early November (2017), I tried to take my own life. By the grace of God I had people in my life, like Survive First, who came to my rescue and got me to a treatment facility, at Deer Hollow in Utah, and helped me get back to who I used to be. I can't be more grateful. You guys truly saved my life."
"Doug embraced me like a long lost friend. We shared stories and many tears, and through a lens of hope, with Doug's inspriation, I was able to see that recovery was possible."
"Karen Monda - lovely as a rose, tough as nails, marathoner, exceptional human being. The home front of Survive First. Blessed to have Karen Monda and Douglas Monda with us."
"They are doing such amazing work in the community to help first responders get the help they need for mental health and lower the stigma around receiving the care and attention they need."
"We were fortunate to have Doug Monda speak at our training event for law enforcement leadership in the states of Maryland and Delaware. Doug's transparency and candor about the struggles that many of us in law enforcement face was such an important message. We appreciate him sharing his experience in a selfless manor to help first responders. I hope that law enforcement across the county have the opportunity to benefit from your willingness to help through sharing your journey. Thank you sir !"
News
Jan28
Florida’s Fourth PCIS Focuses on Command Level Staff
Florida’s fourth PCIS for command-level staff was an inspiring success, thanks to the incredible collaboration ...
Jan07
Survive First Attends the Florida Police Chiefs Association Mid-Winter Conference
We just wrapped up two impactful days in Orlando at the Florida Police Chiefs Association ...
Jan07
First Responders and Their Supporters Run with Purpose at the 7th Annual Run for Responders 5k!
Our 7th Annual Run for Responders 5K was a huge success! On January 4, 2025, ...
Our Partners
Who support the cause
Confidentiality of Communications and Records
RCW 43.101.425
Maintaining your Privacy
All communications to crisis referral services by employees and volunteers of law enforcement, correctional, firefighting, and emergency services agencies, and all records related to the communications, shall be confidential. Crisis referral services include all public or private organizations that advise employees and volunteers of such agencies about sources of consultation and treatment for personal problems including mental health issues, chemical dependency, domestic violence, gambling financial problems, and other personal crises.
A crisis referral service may reveal information related to crisis referral services to prevent reasonably certain death, substantial bodily harm, or commission of a crime.
A crisis referral service may reveal information related to crisis referral services to prevent reasonably certain death, substantial bodily harm, or commission of a crime.
