SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) -- When the call comes in, police, paramedics, and other first responders are usually the first on-scene. That, without a doubt, impacts their mental health -- especially when the call is as traumatic as the murder in West Valley City that left five dead on Tuesday night.
However, first response agencies across Utah have adopted different programs to help address the mental health needs of those who heed the call. While officers were on the scene of the West Valley homicide on the night of Dec. 17, their department was already thinking of their mental health.
"Absolutely horrific," West Valley City spokesperson Roxeanne Vainuku stated. "This is certainly something that will weigh heavily upon investigators in this case."
The police department has resources in place for that reason. Vainuku explained, "Our officers are mandated to see our on-staff therapist, and our officers are mandated to see her twice a year and she's available anytime they'd like."
It's not just the police who respond to horrific scenes. They are usually accompanied by paramedics and firefighters.
Do you remember how, way back in the day, fire departments often had a firehouse dog? Well, the Ogden Fire Department has one -- but he doesn't help fight fires. He's an in-house service dog.
"People see a dog and immediately their blood pressure drops, their heart rate drops, they're more open to talking," Paramedic Amanda King told ABC4.com.
If the dog does the trick, and a person at the department decides it's time to talk to someone, there is a peer support program.
"We're the first people who can come in and be there if there is a team member going through a mental health crisis," King said.
Sometimes having someone listen to you is enough, but sometimes you need a little extra help. "We have great programs and great therapists," said King.
King explained that the city contracts with an organization to make these extra resources available to its first responders: "Trauma therapists who are there to talk to our team members at the department."
The Unified Police Department also has a peer support program. And recently, they teamed up with an organization called Level Up Performance.
Level Up Performance gives first responders tools to manage their mental health in high-stress environments. The program is taught by former professional athletes to police officers, firefighters, and more all across the state.
The founder, who is also a former baseball player, told ABC4.com that he wanted to start the program because first responders don't always have access to this type of coaching.
"How can I service them, you know, the people who are serving me?" he asked. "How can I service them with some of the tools I've been given to help them with some of the tough things in their lives?"
ABC4.com also spoke to one police officer who is not part of West Valley City PD. That officer texted a friend with WVCPD to just check in with them. The officer said that is very common across department lines as they hope to look out for one another.