Help From the Line

WE ARE BACK!!! I know we have been away for a few but here we are! No, we probably will not go back to weekly episodes but there are some really great things coming very soon! 

Join me as we review statistics from recent studies on first responder mental health and suicide. I do get a little emotional on this one as I myself try to comprehend the numbers from these studies. Remember to reach out for help if needed, lets work together to "Change the Status Quo"!

A 24/7 help line staffed by first responders for first responders and their family members. They can assist with treatment options for responders who are suffering from mental health, substance abuse and other personal issues.

Also known as Share The Load. A program run by the National Volunteer Fire Council. They have a help line, text based help service, and have also collected a list of many good resources for people looking for help and support.

The national (USA) suicide hotline. Not first responder specific, but they can and will talk to anyone who needs help. We’ve been told by one of their founders they have a large number of first responders and veterans who volunteer.

A service that allows people in crisis to speak with a trained crisis counselor by texting “Start” or “Help” to 741-741.

A confidential helpline for members of US law enforcement. Their website also has additional information on help and resources.

Run by Frontline Responder Services. Offer 24/7 coverage with first responder call-takers.

Another national (USA) hotline for people suffering from mental health issues.

A crisis line specifically for veterans of the US armed forces.

This list includes thousands of local call numbers for every state in the US. Calling a local number can help put you in contact with nearby resources like counselors or psychiatrists faster than calling a national line.

After spending years with the same department and with the same people what happens after? what happens after the resignation letter has been signed and sent and the turnout gear has been hung up for the last time? This has become a reality for myself, these are my thoughts on life after the fire department. 

I recently was effected by triggers from my own mental health. With this I would like to share with all of you the triggers that I experience, what triggers are, and ways that we can cope with our triggers and learn what they are to help us when we begin to spiral. 

In this episode I talk about the "baggage" we carry during our careers and ways to eliminate the weight on our shoulders. I discuss peer support, family, and the taboo of mental health in the fire service. 

What does a positive department look like? Are we able to create this positive culture? ABSOLUTELY, on this episode I talk about how we build up our team members and creating a positive culture for all of us! 

In this episode we talk about the family of those experiencing a mental health crisis and the support that these individuals need as well as the person who is experiencing the primary stress. 

Evan Hodge joins me on the show to talk about his personal experiences with mental health. Evan has 7+ years in the fire service as well as is working for a critical care transport team currently. With the 1 year anniversary of a FEMA deployment which Evan was part of Evan talks me through his deployment as well as his return and the mental health strain that came with it. 

What happens after a critical incident when we begin to lose who we are as individuals because of the trauma that we were faced with? Are we able to pull ourselves back out of the hole that we now find ourselves in? Losing your sense of "self" can be one of the hardest things that you will face, don't worry we are in this together. We must continue to push the status quo to ensure that we are getting what we need to help retain our sense of "self" after these incidents. 

Some Wednesday wisdom nuggets to help you with becoming a new officer in the fire service!