NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. — The PIERCE Foundation is bringing its first responder mental health summit to Charleston.
The foundation will hold a one-day summit at Trident Technical College in North Charleston from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on May 13. The event will focus on mental wellness and tools for first responders.
Foundation started by paramedic sharing his journey
Brad Lawson founded the PIERCE Foundation. Lawson is a former combat medical specialist in the North Carolina National Guard and a paramedic of 27 years.
He started by sharing his own mental wellness journey with a series he called “Saving Ourselves”.
“I found that a lot of people in the first responder community were inspired,” Lawson said. “That was sort of the goal to sort of get people talking about mental wellness and their struggles and try to break the stigma that still continues to exist about these things we shouldn’t talk about.”
After seeing support from other first responders, Lawson brought his first summit to North Carolina. Almost 400 people attended.
Lawson said the turnout showed how important hearing other responders’ experiences can be.
“What it did for me is it spoke to the importance. It spoke to the need for space. If we’ll provide space, a safe place for people to come and not feel judged to where they can feel like they can be vulnerable. They’re going to come because those places just don’t exist,” Lawson said.
Summit planned after seeing Charleston Fire Department post
Lawson decided to bring a summit to Charleston after seeing a post by the Charleston Fire Department following the tragic loss of a firefighter due to mental health issues.
The event will have 30-minute breakout sessions, networking opportunities with organizations for first responder wellness, speakers, and free holistic healing services such as acupuncture and massages.
“It really allows us to reflect and open up, and what does it truly mean for us to say Mental Health Awareness. Just by being able to have all these responders in the room, we’re planting seeds. So, we’re giving them tools to go back to their communities because we’re going to have people from all over the state,” Lawson said.
The foundation also connects anyone in need of financial assistance with affordable or free therapy sessions with partner organizations.
Any organization or first responder who wants to connect with the PIERCE Foundation can connect by email.
Registration will still be open on May 13th through the submission link.
The summit fee is $50 dollars.
All proceeds will go toward supporting the PIERCE Foundation to find tools to continue supporting first responders.
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