CINCINNATI — Being a first responder can take a toll, both physically and mentally. However, one local fire department is making it a priority to focus on their firefighters’ mental well-being.
What You Need To Know
- Firefighters and other first responders take on a heavy mental toll
- At Montgomery Fire Department, they make mental health a priority - the city hired a therapy dog and they make sure to debrief after difficult runs
- Jason Brice, a lieutenant with the fire department, found that contrast therapy also helps him take care of his mental health
- Contrast Studios is the first sauna to cold plunge contrast therapy club of its kind in Ohio
Jason Brice has been with the Montgomery Fire Department for 12 years and recently got promoted to lieutenant.
“I do miss making the runs," Brice said. "I don’t miss getting up every night and going on the calls.”
But while his day-to-day looks a little different, he still gets called to bigger runs, which can take a mental toll.
“For me, it’s a little different because I’ve got two young girls," he said. "So what really gets me is the pediatric runs.”
Brice said he and his crews do a good job debriefing after difficult runs.
“A lot of firemen end up realizing they can either do this or they can’t," he said. "So if you get past that point, then it’s finding the healthy alternatives to be able to cope with it.”
And the city of Montgomery even invested in a therapy dog to help.
But there’s one other way that helps Brice cope, and it’s something called Contrast Therapy
You start in the sauna for about 20 minutes to get your heart rate up and start sweating a little bit. Then you move on and spend anywhere from 30 seconds to five minutes in frigid cold water.
Patrick Coyne is the co-owner of Contrast Studios, the first of its kind in the state.
“I literally Googled contrast training or cold tubs in Cincinnati, nothing," Coyne said. "Cold tubs and saunas in Ohio, nothing. Contrasting in the Midwest, one in Chicago. So I, being a businessman myself, I partnered up with Chris, and we launched the business.”
The sauna-to-cold plunge method is science-backed therapy that helps boost metabolism, regulates stress, helps with sleep and much more. It's something Coyne has seen himself and with clients.
“Seeing that you’re actually really adding value to people’s lives is the whole reason why I started it because I’ve been off my anxiety medication because of contrasting," Coyne said. "So that was a big reason for me. So the fact that I can give that, we have 350 members now, is a dream come true.”
And for Brice, he’s seen those impacts right away.
“My stress was high and then look, after four minutes it goes to zero point three," Brice said of his time from the sauna to the cold plunge.
He’s thankful for the local business that has changed the way he’s been able to show up as a firefighter and as a dad and hopes other first responders will utilize it.
“It would be hugely beneficial for anybody in the public safety environment that deals with stress, because you feel better after almost every time," Brice said. "It’s not like you took a shot of espresso where you’re ready to just go conquer the day but it’s just a nice calm, easy, flow of energy.”
In an effort to care for the mental health of its residents, the city of Montgomery is hosting its second Mental Health and Wellness fair from 9:00 am – 11:30 a.m. on April 6 at the Twin Lakes Davies Center at 9840 Montgomery Road. Click here for a list of providers.
Contrast Studios is already expanding, opening two more Cincinnati locations this summer with the hope to expand across the state soon.