New Utah foundation to help first responders with mental health

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SALT LAKE CITY — Eight years ago, police officers and firefighters in Spanish Fork responded to an overturned car in the Spanish Fork River.

They said they heard a woman's voice saying, "Help me." First responders rescued then-18-month-old "Baby Lily" after 16 hours hanging upside down above the rushing waters.

Over the years, KSL has heard from first responders about how cases like that impact them.

Tyler Beddoes has been putting on his uniform as a police officer for the last 18 years. As with all jobs, there are good days and, in policing, there are a lot of heavy days, too. That includes "Baby Lily's" rescue.

"Started realizing from back then to now, the difference that it's created, negatively, like mental health, depression and anxiety and things," Beddoes said.

Not only is it hard for those at the scene, he said, it is tough on their families, too. Add what he said are limited resources to help in the "now," and Beddoes decided to do something.

"The last couple of years, I've seen a huge spike in suicides and just violence, in general, and it's clearly not the same," Beddoes said.

He formed an organization called the Battle Back Foundation that will help police officers, first responders and their families around the country with mental health resources.

He has turned those hard days into something better, with resources he did not have when "Baby Lily" was rescued.

"Let's fix and battle for our officers, now," Beddoes expressed.

From 2015:

The foundation focuses on helping officers, first responders and their families through education, therapy, and medication.

"Maybe someone just needs help with mindsets and realizing, you know, that they need to change that negative mindset into positive," Beddoes said.

Beddoes and his foundation are partnering with Mark Cuban, with Cost Plus Drugs, to improve medication access for police officers and first responders.

To learn more about the foundation, its mission, how you can receive help or, if you would like to donate to its success, visit the Battle Back Foundation's website, at battlebackfoundation.org.