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EP.10 You’re Not Alone | A Closer look at PCIS
In this episode of Code Forty4, Amy Cortez sits down with Steve Click, a retired Ohio State Highway Patrol officer and a current leader in First Responder Mental Health and Wellness with the Ohio Department of Public Safety.
Steve brings a rare perspective blending decades of lived experience in uniform with his work supporting law enforcement officers, dispatchers, and their families across the country.
A major focus of this conversation is Post-Critical Incident Seminars (PCIS) — a resource Steve has helped bring to officers and families across multiple states.
PCIS is not just for officers who have experienced one major incident. These seminars are designed to help first responders and their support systems understand cumulative trauma — the “ducks” that pile up quietly over time.
In this episode, Steve explains:
- Why PCIS is preventive, not just a last resort
- Why spouses and family members are encouraged to attend alongside their officer
- How sitting in a room with others who “get it” breaks isolation and stigma
- Why many families leave PCIS with language and understanding they never had before
- How these seminars often become a turning point for marriages, families, and careers
PCIS programs currently exist in multiple states, and many are offered at no cost to first responders and their families. Amy shares below the states and agencies with currently PCIS resources so listeners can explore what may be available in their area.
Seeking out resources like PCIS is not a betrayal of your loved one — it’s an act of protection.
PCIS Resources by State:
- Arkansas (ARLEAP)
- California (CALLEAP)
- Florida (FDLE)
- Georgia (OPSS)
- Kentucky (KYPCIS)
- Louisiana (LA-PCIS)
- Missouri (MSHP)
- New York (NYLEAP)
- North Carolina (NCLEAP)
- Ohio (Ohio Assist)
- Oklahoma (Warrior's Rest Foundation)
- South Carolina (SCLEAP)
- Texas (LEMIT)
- Virginia (VALEAP)
- Wyoming (WY HP)
Connect with Guest: Steve Click
Email: [email protected]
Web Site:
https://publicsafety.ohio.gov/what-we-do/our-programs/office-of-first-responder-wellness
00:00 Introduction to First Responder Mental Wellness
02:10 The Accumulation of Trauma in First Responders
04:40 Cultural Shifts in Mental Health Awareness
06:33 The Importance of Communication in Relationships
07:48 Normalizing Conversations About Mental Health
11:35 Training and Resources for Mental Health
13:29 Addressing Stigma in the First Responder Community
16:06 Breaking the Stigma of Mental Health
17:43 The Reluctance to Seek Help
20:19 Ohio Assist and Support Programs
25:54 The Importance of Shared Experiences
31:56 Building Understanding in Relationships
35:11 Support for All Stages of Life
36:20 Building a Foundation for Relationships
38:04 Identifying Bad Days vs. Accumulating Trauma
41:10 The Meaning Behind 'I'm Fine'
42:25 Understanding Each Other's Struggles
43:08 Finding Local Support Resources
44:08 Key Takeaways for Families and Spouses
View all episodes
By Amy CortezIn this episode of Code Forty4, Amy Cortez sits down with Steve Click, a retired Ohio State Highway Patrol officer and a current leader in First Responder Mental Health and Wellness with the Ohio Department of Public Safety.
Steve brings a rare perspective blending decades of lived experience in uniform with his work supporting law enforcement officers, dispatchers, and their families across the country.
A major focus of this conversation is Post-Critical Incident Seminars (PCIS) — a resource Steve has helped bring to officers and families across multiple states.
PCIS is not just for officers who have experienced one major incident. These seminars are designed to help first responders and their support systems understand cumulative trauma — the “ducks” that pile up quietly over time.
In this episode, Steve explains:
- Why PCIS is preventive, not just a last resort
- Why spouses and family members are encouraged to attend alongside their officer
- How sitting in a room with others who “get it” breaks isolation and stigma
- Why many families leave PCIS with language and understanding they never had before
- How these seminars often become a turning point for marriages, families, and careers
PCIS programs currently exist in multiple states, and many are offered at no cost to first responders and their families. Amy shares below the states and agencies with currently PCIS resources so listeners can explore what may be available in their area.
Seeking out resources like PCIS is not a betrayal of your loved one — it’s an act of protection.
PCIS Resources by State:
- Arkansas (ARLEAP)
- California (CALLEAP)
- Florida (FDLE)
- Georgia (OPSS)
- Kentucky (KYPCIS)
- Louisiana (LA-PCIS)
- Missouri (MSHP)
- New York (NYLEAP)
- North Carolina (NCLEAP)
- Ohio (Ohio Assist)
- Oklahoma (Warrior's Rest Foundation)
- South Carolina (SCLEAP)
- Texas (LEMIT)
- Virginia (VALEAP)
- Wyoming (WY HP)
Connect with Guest: Steve Click
Email: [email protected]
Web Site:
https://publicsafety.ohio.gov/what-we-do/our-programs/office-of-first-responder-wellness
00:00 Introduction to First Responder Mental Wellness
02:10 The Accumulation of Trauma in First Responders
04:40 Cultural Shifts in Mental Health Awareness
06:33 The Importance of Communication in Relationships
07:48 Normalizing Conversations About Mental Health
11:35 Training and Resources for Mental Health
13:29 Addressing Stigma in the First Responder Community
16:06 Breaking the Stigma of Mental Health
17:43 The Reluctance to Seek Help
20:19 Ohio Assist and Support Programs
25:54 The Importance of Shared Experiences
31:56 Building Understanding in Relationships
35:11 Support for All Stages of Life
36:20 Building a Foundation for Relationships
38:04 Identifying Bad Days vs. Accumulating Trauma
41:10 The Meaning Behind 'I'm Fine'
42:25 Understanding Each Other's Struggles
43:08 Finding Local Support Resources
44:08 Key Takeaways for Families and Spouses