"Talk to someone. You are only feeling the way you are because you've experienced a trauma." This icebreaker is a preliminary interview before the full podcast. In this icebreaker, Gaz Hayes (a former British Transport Police Officer) delves into the challenges police officers face, particularly focusing on mental health issues like PTSD that are often overlooked. He answers questions such as: Are the police good at supporting officers with mental ill health? What does it feel like to save someone's life and how does it change you as a person? How do you remember your first days as a police officer? How has being a parent changed you, and what advice would you give to police officer parents? How has your policing experience changed how you experience public events? What advice would you give to someone experiencing their hardest time mentally? How does the British Transport Police compare to the Met? Gaz also shares personal stories from his career, describing the realities of saving lives, the trauma of incidents like the London bombings, and how policing has changed his perspective on public events. The segment ends with practical advice for officers and an exploration of the unique aspects of the British Transport Police compared to the Metropolitan Police.

Check out Gaz's charity PTSD 999 - accessible support for those serving, or who have served, within the Emergency Services, and their families, living with PTSD. https://www.ptsd-999.com/  and at https://www.instagram.com/ptsd999official/