In this episode of the Burnout Network podcast, host Skippo speaks with Tony Wellsby, a police officer from Merseyside, about his journey in law enforcement, the challenges faced by police officers, and the importance of mental health support. Tony shares his personal experiences with trauma, the impact of his work on his well-being, and his role with the Thin Blue Line UK charity, which advocates for police officers' mental health. The conversation emphasizes the need for open discussions about mental health, breaking the stigma, and providing accessible support for those in the emergency services.

Thin Blue Line UK Link: https://www.thinbluelineuk.org.uk/


Takeaways

• Tony Wellsby has been a police officer since 1996.
• He is passionate about the well-being of police officers.
• Camaraderie among officers is crucial for coping with stress.
• Many officers develop unhealthy coping mechanisms.
• The Thin Blue Line UK charity supports police officers' mental health.
• Mental health challenges are common in law enforcement.
• Asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
• The Thrive app provides confidential mental health support.
• Community engagement is vital for police and public relations.
• It's important to recognize the toll of trauma on first responders.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Tony Wellsby and His Journey
03:01 The Reality of Policing: Challenges and Misconceptions
05:52 Coping Mechanisms in Law Enforcement
09:05 Personal Experiences and the Impact of Trauma
11:58 The Role of Thin Blue Line UK Charity
14:50 Mental Health Support for Police Officers
18:03 Breaking the Stigma Around Mental Health
20:48 Community Engagement and Future Initiatives
24:00 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

PLEASE SUPPORT THIS PODCAST BY TAKING A LOOK AT OUR SPONSORS

• Throttle & Thrive First Responder Addiction Recovery: https://throttleandthrive.com/
• AdvoCast: https://advocast.media

PODCAST WEBSITE:

• https://burntoutpodcast.org

BURNT OUT CREW:

• Host: Skip O
• Mental Health Minute: Melissa H
• Sunday Support Zoom Meeting Facilitator: Jeff D
• Bonus Episode Host: Capt. Chuck Bray
• Executive Producer: Shawn P Neal
• Brought to you by AdvoCast

EPISODE HASHTAGS:
#firefighter #firstresponder #ems #emt #police #lawenforcement #military #trauma #mentalhealth #USMC #military