Welcome
The overarching goal of Suncrest PEAKS is to help first responders and agencies reach and maintain peak performance thru mental health services.
Suncrest Peaks for a Better Future
History
Suncrest Psychological Services (who owns Suncrest PEAKS) was created in 2018 due to the need of local agencies to support their first responders with a culturally competent provider well versed in the unique needs of first responders. Dr. Dardeen is a former first responder and started her private practice at the request of the city of Lafayette after she successfully treated a city first responder after a traumatic incident. 5 years later Suncrest Psychological Services now serves 22 agencies and Dr. Dardeen has brought on 3 additional full-time therapists all experienced in working with first responders.
Dr. Dardeen works with agencies and individuals. Many agencies have incorporated mental health treatment into their regular budgets, but often smaller agencies and private agencies struggle to provide this service or limit the number of sessions they can cover for an employee.
As Suncrest Psychological Services has grown, so has the number of individuals that need support beyond what their agencies can offer and the number of folks that have received needed funding is constantly increasing.
As such, Suncrest Psychological Services has established a 501(c)(3) (Suncrest PEAKS) to help agencies that don’t have a budget in order to provide more wellness services, education/training, and to continue to have funding available for first responders whose treatment needs are outside of what is currently available for support. With Suncrest PEAKS we hope to provide support and education for families of first responders, directly support rural and volunteer agencies, and allow more individuals to complete their treatment successfully.
Your donation to Suncrest PEAKS stays local (Tippecanoe County and surrounding counties) and directly supports treatment for a first responder in this community. When our first responder agencies are fully staffed and supported, communities thrive!
First Responders in Crisis
Our first responders are in crisis and leaving police, fire, EMS, corrections, and dispatch jobs at a higher rate than they are entering the profession. Many agencies and departments have openings they can’t fill. For the first time in 2019, suicides were more prevalent than line of duty deaths nationally for police officers. Those figures have held steady the past few years. First responders see and are exposed to significant and long term traumatic events as part of their job, and while they are given lots of specific training and equipment to provide protection and life saving care, they are not given the proper tools and resources to cope psychologically with what they see. Over time this shows up in many ways and has been identified as one of the top reasons first responders are dying by suicide or leaving the profession.
We are a first responders not for profit mental health services in Indiana
Mission Statement
First responders serve a vital role in protecting and caring for our communities. This role puts them at increased risk for mental health issues developing over time and decreased overall performance and life satisfaction. Healthy first responders = healthy communities. Suncrest PEAKS aims to balance the negative psychological impact inherent in these professions by:
1. Providing Financial Support, if needed, to all first responders in our coverage area needing mental health support.
2. Education regarding mental health and wellness principles and the psychological impact of trauma exposure at the individual, agency, and community level. Providing regular and ongoing education helps to decrease the stigma associated with seeking help.
3. Direct consultation with agencies to develop policies and training that supports and focuses on wellness and resilience principles.
4. Providing support programs and education for families of first responders and retired first responders. If you wish to contribute, every donation will help us make a difference in the lives of those we serve. Every little bit counts and we appreciate your support.
Suncrest PEAKS: Promoting Enhanced Awareness, Knowledge, and Skills for first responders. A 501(c)(3) organization under Suncrest Psychological Services.
Donate today, make a difference tomorrow.
Help your local first responders and transform lives through your generous donation to Suncrest PEAKS. We are all in this together!
All First Responders Matter
