In this episode of Bend Don't Break, Courtney Luxen from the Calgary Police Service shares her journey of overcoming functional neurological disorder (FND) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). She initially joined the police service with a background in sports medicine but fell in love with the idea of becoming a cop after seeing a female officer in action. Courtney experienced various physical symptoms, including uncontrollable blinking, breathing difficulties, and loss of motor control. After a long and challenging recovery process, she returned to work in a part-time capacity and now advocates for mental health and wellness within the police service.

Takeaways

Seeking therapy and regular check-ins with a mental health professional are essential for everyone, especially those in high-stress professions like policing.

Maintaining physical health, practicing gratitude, and incorporating breath work and meditation can contribute to overall well-being and resilience.

Don't judge others and avoid comparing yourself to others. Each person's journey is unique, and it's important to focus on your own progress.

Recovery from mental health challenges is a lifelong journey, and it's crucial to have a supportive network of friends, family, and colleagues.

Never lose hope. Even in the darkest times, there is always the possibility of a better tomorrow.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

01:12 Becoming a Police Officer

04:05 Getting Sick and Seeking Help

08:25 Diagnosis and Treatment

10:49 Recovery and Rehabilitation

27:00 Returning to Work and Advocating for Mental Health

30:29 Lessons Learned and Advice

34:45 Final Thoughts and Takeaways

In this episode, Chief Neil Dubord speaks with Detective Greg Linkert from the Calgary Police Service, who shares his journey of resilience in the face of adversity after being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS). Greg discusses his career in law enforcement, including his time in specialty sections such as the tactical team and bomb unit. He recounts the symptoms he experienced before his MS diagnosis and the challenges he faced in accepting his condition. Greg emphasizes the importance of communication, support systems, and maintaining a positive mindset. He also shares his involvement in the MS walk and peer support programs.

Takeaways

Appreciate the simple things in life and find joy in everyday experiences.

Adapt and accept the challenges that come with a diagnosis or disability.

Maintain open communication with your support system and seek help when needed.

Choose to define your own story and focus on the possibilities rather than dwelling on the past.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

00:15 Appreciating Simple Things

00:30 Specialty Sections in Police Career

01:25 Greg Linkert's Career Journey

03:10 Diagnosis of MS

04:08 Living with MS

05:28 Refereeing and Skating Issues

06:26 Delayed Diagnosis of MS

07:24 First Real Incident of MS Symptoms

08:55 Continued Symptoms and Denial

09:23 Seeking Medical Help

10:21 36-Hour Adventure at the ER

11:16 MS Diagnosis Confirmed

12:44 Medical Professionals Involved

13:42 Physiatrist and Coping Skills

14:38 Peer Support and MS Walk

16:05 Fear and Adapting to MS

18:05 Teaching Recruit Class and Body Worn Camera

20:04 Life Now and Physical Limitations

22:30 Walking Around the Island

23:56 Support Systems

25:23 Importance of Communication

26:53 Choosing Your Story

28:19 Peer Support and Giving Back

28:55 Message to Others

30:25 Summary and Gratitude

In this episode, Mitch Hardington from the Calgary Police Service shares his experience with PTSD and his journey to recovery. Mitch recounts a traumatic call where he found a man who had cut his own throat and the impact it had on Mitch's mental health. He emphasizes the importance of seeking help and therapy, including the use of EMDR therapy. Mitch also discusses the concept of post-traumatic growth and how he has found a new identity outside of being a police officer. He shares his reintegration strategy for returning to work and encourages others to live authentically and take control of their own lives.

Takeaways:

Seeking help and therapy is crucial for dealing with PTSD and other mental health challenges.

EMDR therapy can be effective in processing traumatic experiences and reducing emotional attachment to the memory.

Post-traumatic growth is possible, and individuals can use their experiences as an opportunity for personal growth and self-improvement.

Reintegration into work should be done gradually and with a plan in place to ensure a successful transition.

Living authentically and finding an identity outside of work is important for overall well-being and resilience.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and Community Engagement

01:01 Mitch's Experience with PTSD

03:10 Starting Career in Law Enforcement

04:08 The Traumatic Call

08:17 Saving the Man's Life

10:31 Impact on Mental Health

12:03 Seeking Help and Therapy

13:58 EMDR Therapy

21:50 Post-Traumatic Growth

25:56 Reintegration into Work

30:56 Living Authentically and Taking Control

34:19 Final Words and Gratitude

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Follow the Delta Police on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

Visit their website at DeltaPolice.ca.

This week, Chief Neil Dubord speaks with Nanaimo RCMP Constable Mason Dirnback.  Mason was the first officer on scene of a dispute in a car between a man and a woman.  Upon Mason's arrival, the man became fixated on Mason, not breaking eye contact, and advancing on him from the very start. And then the man produced a pistol.  The encounter turned fatal for the man.

Mason talks about the incident, the subsequent Independent Investigations Office investigation, and strategies he has employed to help him get through the psychological weight of taking the life of another person.

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Visit their website at DeltaPolice.ca.

RCMP Sergeant Greg Toogood was at home enjoying an evening with friends and family when his chocolate labrador Abby started uncharacteristically barking outside. He went to the back door of his house to check on the dog. Greg, silhouetted in the door, was ambushed from afar and shot causing significant, permanent damage to his right arm.

On this episode of Bend Don't Break, Greg joins Chief Neil Dubord to talk about how the shooting affected him, and how he found the courage to come back both physically and mentally.

Join Chief Dubord and Sgt. Toogood as Greg shares the power of his story of resilience.

First responders are on the front lines daily, keeping our communities safe and facing some of the most dangerous situations; there is no doubt that the mental health toll of the job is significant. In recent years, the first responder community has worked hard to reduce the stigma and increase awareness, fostering an overall culture of wellness. The power of healing through story is the goal of Bend Don't Break, listed as one of the Top Policing & Law Enforcement Podcasts.

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Join Chief Neil Dubord as he speaks with Greater Sudbury Police Service Constable James Jefferson. James was involved in a critical incident that had a profound impact on how he managed and functioned. Until he was ready to acknowledge this impact and do something to help himself, he spiraled to his rock bottom. But when James did acknowledge the impact, he started a road to recovery for himself, and now uses his experiences and outlook to help others with the GSPS.

Looking for More Episodes?

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Visit their website at DeltaPolice.ca

Join Chief Neil Dubord as he speaks with psychologist Dr. Mark Davies. Mark has recently joined the Delta Police Department and works with our wellness section to help our officers be mentally healthy. A psychologist on staff is not a completely new thing, but it goes a long way to show how committed the DPD is to employee wellness.

Mark believes organizational culture can reduce barriers and contribute to healthy mental well-being. In speaking about a study conducted at Harvard, Dr. Davies states, "Unit cohesion in the military was a negative predictor of PTSD by a 20% variance." Essentially, having the proper mechanisms in place before trauma occurs, can reduce the chance and severity of trauma, if and when trauma does happen.

Mark emphasizes the value of organizational culture, why he chose to work with first responders, and how his own lived experience is now helping him contribute to the DPD's environment to help its officers. "Mental health isn't about preventing bad, it's about being really great."

Looking for More Episodes?

You can find more episodes of Bend Don't Break on iTunes, Google Play, and most other major podcasting platforms.

Connect with the Delta Police Department:

Follow the Delta Police on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

Visit their website at DeltaPolice.ca

This week, Chief Neil Dubord is joined by Sande Higgins, an RCMP member who bravely shares her unique story of survival, followed by trauma.

In this episode, Chief Dubord speaks with Sande who, several years ago, boarded a plane five days before getting married to the love of her life, to moments later finding herself as a survivor. Sande describes the traumatizing experience and how it accompanied her in silence for many years, painfully but away from the sight of her close ones. Sande has remained resilient in the face of all the different obstacles she had to overcome and shares her story to encourage anyone suffering to seek help. Listen to this inspiring story!

Key Takeaways:

[2:53] Sande shares her background and how she became part of the RCMP.

[5:19] Sande expands on her experience in residential schools.

[6:45] Sande describes the mounted community.

[8:12] Each member had their own home at the mounted community.

[9:25] When the incident occurred, Sande was days away from her wedding. She talks about her relationship with her partner back then.

[12:46] Sande boarded the plane, and nothing seemed odd.

[15:17] What happened on July 4th?

[20:24] What is Telecom?

[21:18] Sande stops and tries to process what just happened.

[23:25] Sande talks about her injuries.

[25:45] Sande made sure everyone was all right.

[28:00] Sande got married five days after the incident.

[28:41] Sande returned to work pretty fast; she explained what that looked like.

[30:23] Before getting back to work, Sande consulted a psychologist.

[33:25] Sande had a son; she is convinced he saved her; shifting the focus was the key to starting healing.

[38:15] Sande confesses having thoughts of dying.

[39:11] Sande's doctor told her she had PTSD years after the event.

[40:55] Sande receives a treatment plan for her PTSD.

[43:23] Sande talks about where she is on her journey today.

[45:18] How does Sande see a change in perspectives in the RCMP regarding mental health?

[47:33] Sande discusses survivor's guilt.

[48:58] It is never too late to ask for help.

Mentioned in this Episode:

RCMP Royal Canadian Mounted Police

Looking for More Episodes?

You can find more episodes of Bend Don't Break on iTunes, Google Play, and most other major podcasting platforms.

Connect with the Delta Police Department:

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Visit their website at DeltaPolice.ca

This week, Chief Neil Dubord is joined by Ryan Moore of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

In this episode, Chief Dubord speaks with Ryan about his struggle with PTSD and how he ended up helping others due to his own healing journey.

Ryan has indigenous roots and received his formal name when he was young, he was called Big Uncle, a name they hadn't given for a while in his culture, which represents somebody who looks after people, a perfect name that foresaw his destiny.

In his role helping others, Ryan experienced extreme situations, which over time disturbed his peace, work, and relationships. Ryan turned his suffering into an opportunity to find himself again and to learn how to take care of his own mental health, which today he applies in helping others struggling with PTSD. Get inspired by Ryan's brave journey, if he could, so do you!

Key Takeaways:

[1:25] Ryan talks about himself, his career, and how he got to join the RCMP.

[3:30] Ryan is also an indigenous member.

[5:04] Ryan shares his experience with PTSD.

[10:45] Ryan finally realizes he is suffering from PTSD (even though it was obvious to his closest ones).

[12:46] Ryan recalls the origins of PTSD in his life.

[21:34] The training that officers don't receive.

[22:21] Ryan discusses his life as a veteran.

[27:43] Ryan and Chied Dubord address that moment when an officer realizes he/she needs time off because something is not correct.

[31:57] Ryan wants to get involved in Veteran's Affairs by making a presentation, but things get complicated, and Ryan loses control.

[37:56] Ryan finds himself at home with no road map of what to do next; he shares how he found his way during that time.

[40:36] Ryan gets introduced to a particular treatment for people struggling with PTSD.

[44:07] Ryan was hesitant about the program; he did not think it was meant for him since he didn't feel ready to retire.

[46:26] Ryan was sent home, which was the beginning of his recovery.

[48:26] Today, Ryan helps others on their journeys toward healing from PTSD.

[54:50] Ryan shares how he connects with other service members in need.

[56:12] Ryan's first day back at work felt like a million dollars.

Mentioned in this Episode:

K9 Coffee Co.

Looking for More Episodes?

You can find more episodes of Bend Don't Break on iTunes, Google Play, and most other major podcasting platforms.

Connect with the Delta Police Department:

Follow the Delta Police on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

Visit their website at DeltaPolice.ca

Chief Neil Dubord is accompanied this week by Dr. Kendra Devor, who dives deep into her efforts regarding the Wellness Program designed to assist first responders in overcoming the repercussions of critical incidents they often endure in service.

In this episode, Chief Dubord speaks with Kendra Devor Psy. D., a Licensed Clinical Psychologist out of Orange County, California. Her professional experience has focused on treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, grief, and loss. Dr. Devor has extensive experience working with first responders and their family members.

Key Takeaways:

[1:45] Kendra introduces herself.

[4:10] Kendra talks about her certifications.

[5:14] Kendra shares about a particular client who has gone through several traumatic incidents.

[8:26] EMDR is an amazing therapeutic modality designed to treat trauma, Kendra explains why.

[10:39] Kendra continues talking about this specific client who got to therapy after his third critical incident; she addresses the two first traumatic events.

[14:49] Now, this deputy went through two more critical incidents.

[16:01] Less than one year later, this particular deputy is stronger and happier than ever.

[17:45] Kendra shares the best tools for assisting first responders.

[20:03] Kendra expresses her gratitude and honor for being trusted by cops.

[20:53] Kendra talks about the Wellness Program.

[24:01] Kendra addresses the invaluable importance of training.

[25:03] Physical wellness is also involved in the Wellness Program.

[27:41] Kendra shares her thoughts on the mental health stigma.

[30:22] Kendra advises: Go to therapy before you feel like you need it, and if you don't like the clinician, it is not that therapy isn't for you; just seek another therapist.

Mentioned in this Episode:

K9 Coffee Co.

Looking for More Episodes?

You can find more episodes of Bend Don't Break on iTunes, Google Play, and most other major podcasting platforms.

Connect with the Delta Police Department:

Follow the Delta Police on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

Visit their website at DeltaPolice.ca.