Wilmington Approves Mental Health Contract for First Responders

Wilmington city leaders have approved a new contract to provide professional behavioral health and wellness services for personnel within the Wilmington Fire Department and the Wilmington Police Department.

The Wilmington City Council unanimously approved the agreement as part of the consent agenda during its Nov. 3 meeting, according to reporting from wilmingtonbiz.com.

This decision marks a specific investment in dedicated mental health resources for the city’s emergency responders. While existing programs like peer support and facility dogs are already utilized within the departments, this particular initiative was specifically approved in the fiscal year 2027 budget.

“Although there are various existing mental health programs, such as peer support and facility dogs, within the WFD and WPD, this particular behavioral health program is new and was approved by Council in the (fiscal year 2027) budget,” Amy Willis, the city’s communications manager, said in an email.

The contract is awarded to Yael Gold, a licensed psychologist and the founder of Integrated Therapy Associates in Wilmington. Gold has practiced in the city since 1994 and has directed her firm since its founding in 2006. Her professional background includes work in university settings, including the University of North Carolina Wilmington.

The initial term of the contract spans three years at a cost of $600,000. The agreement also allows for two optional one-year renewals, priced at $200,000 each, though these are subject to available funding in years following fiscal year 2027.

The program aims to address the specific occupational hazards faced by those on the front lines. According to the city’s request for proposals, first responders deal with repeated exposure to traumatic events, organizational pressures, and cumulative psychological stress.

The city intends to move toward a proactive model of care. This approach emphasizes prevention, resilience, and early intervention, alongside confidential treatment options.

Wilmington’s fire and police departments employ a combined total of approximately 595 sworn and civilian personnel. The city expects the new program to facilitate between 500 and 600 visits from these personnel annually, according to a proposal addendum.

The city is working to establish what it calls a “comprehensive behavioral health program.” This framework includes several distinct layers of support:

Annual behavioral wellness visits
Individual confidential counseling services
Critical on-site crisis response
Family support services, including marriage counseling and caregiver support
Educational programming tailored for first responders

By including family services, the program attempts to address the domestic impact of high-stress occupations. This includes specific support for caregivers and marriage counseling to help stabilize the home environments of those serving in the WPD and WFD.

The move comes as municipalities across the country grapple with the long-term mental health implications of high-intensity public service roles. The cost of the contract represents a direct allocation of city funds to mitigate the psychological hazards inherent in emergency response work.