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New Head & Blast Overpressure Injury Self-Assessment: A Lifeline for First Responders

Lighthouse Health & Wellness is honored to announce—and to have played a part in creating—a vital new resource developed by Stephanie Samuels, MA, MSW, LCSW, Founder/Director of CopLine® and The Counseling and Critical Incident Debriefing Center, LLC.

This self-assessment tool is designed to help identify potential symptoms connected to repetitive head impacts (HIT) and blast overpressure (BOP) injuries—issues often overlooked in the public safety community. Research increasingly links these invisible injuries to long-term mental health challenges and an increased risk of suicide among First Responders.

First Responders face countless risks in the line of duty. While physical injuries often receive immediate attention, the unseen impact of HIT and BOP injuries can go unrecognized for years. This self-assessment provides an accessible way to:

  • Reflect on possible symptoms
  • Take the results to a clinician or doctor
  • Start meaningful conversations about brain health and wellness
  • Print and share instantly with healthcare providers or loved ones

“This is more than a form. It is a potential lifeline… you are never alone—there is always help, and there is always hope.”
— Stephanie Samuels

The HIT & BOP Self-Assessment is available in multiple ways to ensure accessibility for all First Responders and their families:

Important Note

This tool is not a standardized psychological assessment, nor is it a replacement for professional evaluation. Instead, it is intended to promote personal insight and guide important discussions with healthcare providers.

At Lighthouse Health & Wellness, we recognize the daily sacrifices made by First Responders and their families. Resources like this self-assessment are part of our ongoing mission: to ensure that no one has to walk the path of health and wellness alone.