Struggle Well

Struggle Well is a prevention-focused program based on the science of Posttraumatic Growth. By partnering with first responder agencies and active-duty military units, we’re fundamentally changing the culture from the inside-out.

Quick Facts

For: First Responder Agencies & Military Units

Length: 1, 2, and 5-day programs

Locations: Nationwide

NO COST to participants

Request Struggle Well Training

What is Struggle Well?

A comprehensive approach that focuses on transformation of the active-duty military and first responder culture, rather than the implementation of another wellness program.

Struggle Well training is guided by two objectives: normalizing the struggles that are a part of every service member and first responder’s life, and democratizing their ability to struggle well.

Our Struggle Well trains active-duty military units and first responder agencies so participants are able to transform struggle into strength and growth, and be of better service to themselves, their family, community, and country.

Our transformative training programs

Struggle Well training is delivered in 1-day, 2-day, and 5-day training programs.

1-Day Struggle Well Training Course

The 1 Day training is focused on cultivating awareness of the Struggle Well philosophy

2-Day Struggle Well Training Course

The 2-day training is ideal for leaders and senior management, and have proven incredibly effective within the first responder leadership

5-Day Struggle Well Training Course

The 5-day training is ideal for informal leaders, peer support personnel, leaders, and trainers

HOW TUCSON PD IS TRANSFORMING THEIR CULTURE

“We were dealing with the Pandemic, the civil unrest, as well as significant staffing shortages, and then on top of that some record breaking violence. Our turning point was the Summer of 2021 when we had two employees take their lives within two months.”

– Monica Prieto, Deputy Chief of Police, Tucson Police Department

“We certainly knew that officers weren’t coping well. We had a robust Mental Health Support Team, a Behavioral Sciences Unit, a department psychologist, and two Sergeants, but it just wasn’t enough.

It was at that time that really rocked the organization that we recognized we need to do more…
…and then the conversation started about what that MORE would look like”

– Chad Kasmar, Chief of Police, Tucson Police Department

34%

growth in Appreciation for Life after attending Struggle Well training

56%

growth in Deeper Relationships after attending Struggle Well training

48%

growth in New Possibilities after attending Struggle Well training

I’ve never in my 23 years of doing this type of work seen such a powerful program.

Chief Chad Kasmar, Tucson Police Department

This course should be mandatory. Outstanding in every way.

Struggle Well Participant

To police well, you have to be well.

Rene Landa, South Miami Police Chief

A necessary course. It will save lives and provide first responders a second chance. Open dialogue is key — we must help each other.

Struggle Well Participant

Life-changing. There are many mental health programs — this one is different.

Tucson Police Chief Chad Kasmar

In 20 years on the job, Struggle Well is by far the best training I have ever received.

Struggle Well Participant

5-7x

more effective than traditional approaches to PTSD

85k

Struggle Well participants trained as of 2022

36%

growth in Personal Strength after attending Struggle Well training

First Responder Initiative

More first responders die by suicide than in the line of duty. It’s also estimated that 30-40% of our nation’s first responders are struggling with significant mental health challenges. At Boulder Crest, we help foster deeper relationships, new possibilities, spiritual-extensional change, personal strength, and an increased appreciation for life with our PTG-based First Responder Initiative, sponsored by FirstNet, Built by AT&T.

Learn More About the First Responder Initiative

Struggle Well program FAQ’s

Boulder Crest Foundation partners with units, departments, associations, and leaders to enable them to reclaim their role as the guardian of their people’s wellbeing. The objective of this partnership-based effort is to transform the culture – from one where people are taught to “suck it up because this is what you signed up for” to one where struggle (both professional and personal) is normalized and the ability to receive support is democratized.

The approach is comprehensive — training saturates departments to reach a critical mass of team members and is institutionalized across the entire training spectrum.

The science of PTG suggests that it is during times of deep struggle people are likely to engage in reflection and introspection, and carefully consider what is truly valuable and significant in their lives. PTG describes the ways in which the struggle and introspection that follows traumatic events can often serve as a catalyst for growth and transformation.

Posttraumatic Growth is both a process that people go through to make sense of their life post-trauma and an outcome that is experienced in five areas of life: New Possibilities, Deeper Relationships, Personal Strength, Appreciation for Life, and Spiritual-Existential Change.

Our Struggle Well training approach reawakens a sense of hope and possibility in participants and provides them with a path to a life worth living — one filled with passion, purpose, service, connection, and growth.

Struggle Well

What is Struggle Well?