100 Club of the Texas Panhandle expands focus on first responder mental health

The 100 Club of the Texas Panhandle is making mental health a central focus of its work this year, highlighting the emotional and psychological challenges first responders face alongside the physical dangers of their jobs.

The nonprofit, which has long supported firefighters, law enforcement officers and their families, plans to expand peer-to-peer support efforts within local departments. Executive Director Suzanne Talley said the goal is to ensure first responders have immediate access to colleagues who understand the unique stress and trauma that come with emergency work.

“When there’s a critical incident, you need peers within your own department who can respond immediately. If we can help build some of those peer-to-peer support teams within the departments, a lot of them already have them, but several do not,” Talley said. “We’d love to see a training for peer-to-peer support to bring everyone together for that purpose.”

Talley said while the 100 Club will continue assisting Panhandle fire departments with equipment needs, the organization is placing increased emphasis on the mental and emotional well-being of those who serve.

“We understand the importance of their careers,” she said. “And although we haven’t experienced it firsthand, we can only imagine that what they see in their career is much more than we see in our lifetime.”

As part of its mental health initiative, the 100 Club will host its second mental health conference on Feb. 7. The event will feature Travis Howze, a motivational speaker and mental health advocate who focuses on the needs of first responders. Howze, a former firefighter, said his work centers on honest conversations about trauma and its impact.

“What we do is we take the gloves off of mental health here at Post Traumatic Purpose,” Howze said. “We get into what it’s like actually being a first responder for the first responders on scene.”

The renewed focus comes as the organization continues its core mission of supporting first responders and their families in times of crisis. In 2025, the 100 Club assisted three families after loved ones were injured in the line of duty.

Talley said the organization hopes its combined efforts—providing equipment, financial assistance and mental health resources—will help ensure first responders receive comprehensive support throughout their careers.