In part 2 of this episode, your host, Kimberly Williamson, and her Calgary Police Officer husband, Russ, bravely and vulnerably share the challenges and growth they have experienced throughout their 20 year marriage.

Kim and Russ speak candidly about things they tried that didn't work and how they have journeyed to a deeper, stronger, more intentional marriage today.  Describing 2021 (their 20th Anniversary year) being their best year ever!

Russ also speaks to the importance of understanding that with Operational Stress Injury it's not a matter of if you experience it, it's when. Russ says, if you are are a First Responder it's more likely you will face an OSI and it isn't something you can just "fix" on your own. He underscores that sharing with your partner and support people that you are experiencing adverse effects from the job is not just important for your wellbeing but it is one of the best things you can do for yourself, your relationships and career.

Resources can be found on our website:

https://www.firstresponderfamilywellnesscenter.com/

Happy Connected Family Workshop

Resilience Academy

Follow us on IG - @firstresponderfamilywellness

In this episode your host, Kimberly Williamson, sits down with her Calgary Police Officer husband, Russ, on their 20th Wedding Anniversary to reflect on their marriage as a First Responder Family and how Operational Stress Injury impacted their relationship and family. 

After a quick and humorous anniversary question/answer game where you get to know a little more about them, Kim and Russ share openly about some of the things they wish they had known and some of the things they wish they had done differently. 

In part one they take a deep dive into things like how counselling, when you find the right therapist, can be a huge help. The couple also discuss their views about the importance of having both First Responder Family and Non First Responder Family friends and support.

Resources can be found on our website:

https://www.firstresponderfamilywellnesscenter.com/

Happy Connected Family Workshop

Resilience Academy

Follow us on IG - @firstresponderfamilywellness

In this episode host, Kimberly Williamson, has a conversation with first responder wife, Sarah Routier.  

Sarah could not imagine how mental illness would affect her family and completely change her life.  Her husband Sylvain, a very successful police sergeant with the Ontario Provincial Police and an incredible husband and father, started struggling with a mental illness only 3 months prior to taking his own life on July 31st, 2018. 

Sarah has since become a dedicated mental health advocate and shares her raw and honest story in hopes of preventing this from happening to other families.  

Since Sylvain's passing, she has worked hard to instill change by founding the Sylvain Routhier Memorial Foundation, and through her volunteer work as the East Region Vice President of OPP Beyond the Blue.  She also sits on many committees including the OPP Commissioner’s Healthy Workplace Advisory Group, and the Ontario Heroes in Life Memorial.

website: www.sylvainrouthierfoundation.com

If you or someone you know has suicide-related concerns please call:

Canada Suicide Hotline: 1-833-456-4566

USA Suicide Hotline: (800) 273-8255

Mental Health Resources For First Responder Families: https://www.pspmentalhealth.ca

Resources mentioned in today’s podcast:

Wounded Warriors: https://woundedwarriors.ca

Canada Beyond The Blue: https://www.canadabeyondtheblue.com

Camp Faces https://campfaces.org

Sarah's Book: "Don't Forget Your Roots"

Have you ever been so excited as a first responder family to get away on a vacation together and suddenly, instead of feeling thrilled, you are overcome with apprehension and dread? Just think about it—vacations are unknown and unpredictable. So much can go wrong. With an operational stress injury, the change to family routines can take us out of our comfort zones, cause anxiety, and be incredibly stressful rather than fun and exciting.

3 Things to Remember on vacation:

Look for Kim’s Vacation Guide at our website: https://www.firstresponderfamilywellnesscenter.com/

In this first interview episode, Kim welcomes twelve-year police veteran James Jefferson and his wife Amy as they take an honest dive deep into the dark places of his post traumatic stress injury. Getting real about his depression, thoughts of suicide and relationship self-sabotage, James and Amy share how they navigated the highs and lows of marriage and family, and how educating themselves and others has not only built community with other first responder families, but also brought unexpected support and genuine healing.

James Jefferson

James Jefferson is a 12 year Police Service Veteran and the Wellness Coordinator Officer with the Greater Sudbury Police Service. James specializes in mental health, peer to peer support, member outreach along with physical fitness & nutrition.

James, he can be reached via email at [email protected] or through social media at Instagram @jamesjefferson3255

June is PTSD awareness month. In honour of that, this week, Kimberly pulls back the dark curtain on the “beast of O.S.I.” — operational stress injury— and breaks down how to notice when a first responder’s work is affecting them, their family, and those around them.

Resources mentioned in today’s podcast can be found on our website:

https://www.firstresponderfamilywellnesscenter.com/

Happy Connected Family Workshop

Resilience Academy

Follow us on IG - @firstresponderfamilywellness

This week, Kimberly talks about healing your relationships and creating a healthy first responder family.

“Our biggest resource that we have for us as human beings is the relationship that we have with other people.”

“The biggest challenge we have on this planet right now is loneliness.”

Over time, the trauma from the daily work and experiences as a first responder will impact our family lifestyle and the way we relate to our loved ones. It becomes a secondary trauma for our partner and children. Add to the mix the first responder’s schedule that can often set family members on separate tracks, like trains passing but never connecting to really talk. This trauma leads to further disconnection, loneliness and growing conflict as one partner becomes demanding in their need for connection and validation while the other withdraws.

So how do we reconnect? How do we resolve the conflict that grows like a virus in our relationship when there is so little time and so few moments of peace? It can feel overwhelming to know how to navigate it. In this episode Kimberly explains the breakdown and offers the practical advice and support you need to heal your relationships and create a healthy first responder family.

Resources mentioned in today’s podcast can be found on our website:

https://www.firstresponderfamilywellnesscenter.com/

Coping Skills Toolbox

Resilience Guide

Resilience Academy

Emotionally Focus Therapy

Reach out to Kimberly Williamson at [email protected] for more information.

Facebook 

Twitter

Instagram

This week, Kimberly talks about healing your relationships and creating a healthy first responder family.

“Our biggest resource that we have for us as human beings is the relationship that we have with other people.”

“The biggest challenge we have on this planet right now is loneliness.”

Over time, the trauma from the daily work and experiences as a first responder will impact our family lifestyle and the way we relate to our loved ones. It becomes a secondary trauma for our partner and children. Add to the mix the first responder’s schedule that can often set family members on separate tracks, like trains passing but never connecting to really talk. This trauma leads to further disconnection, loneliness and growing conflict as one partner becomes demanding in their need for connection and validation while the other withdraws.

So how do we reconnect? How do we resolve the conflict that grows like a virus in our relationship when there is so little time and so few moments of peace? It can feel overwhelming to know how to navigate it. In this episode Kimberly explains the breakdown and offers the practical advice and support you need to heal your relationships and create a healthy first responder family.

Resources mentioned in today’s podcast can be found on our website:

https://www.firstresponderfamilywellnesscenter.com/

Coping Skills Toolbox

Resilience Guide

Resilience Academy

Emotion Focus Therapy

Reach out to Kimberly Williamson at [email protected] for more information.

Facebook 

Twitter

Instagram

This episode is an introduction to your Host, Kimberly Williamson, Founder of First Responder Family Wellness Centre.  In this episode, Kimberly shares her family's personal story and the why behind her mission to help First Responder Families thrive.