What's Your Twenty

On the heels of multiple First Responders taking their lives, Emily Zufelt takes a walk inside the mind with suicide. On her own recovery journey with PTSD and CPTSD, she dares to say the things that don't get said, out loud. In Emily's first solo episode she attempts to highlight what anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts do to wreak havoc inside the minds of the incredible people who struggle with mental health and live with mental illness.

Guest, critical thinker and speaker, Seb Lavoie reached out as he felt that a social media post was feeding into victim mentality and he wanted to either understand, support, or perhaps, both. What happened next through an abundance of alignment and respect is an enlightened and organic conversation between two people who discuss the importance of taking a 'tactical pause' and how victim mentality is the number one wellness killer. This episode is special in that it is dedicated to two incredible young women: Angela Lee Pucci and her late sister, Victoria lee. They are bound by sisterhood, mma, and suicide. To honour Victoria, Angela launched the mental health not for profit, Fight Story.

The Caring Support Podcast hosts, James Smith and Cali Wiersma invited me on the show to discuss some of the common misconceptions of PTSI/PTSD amongst law enforcement and healthcare professionals. We delve into how departments and organizations can better support their members who are struggling with mental health and the overt challenges and resistance faced by law enforcement personnel when it comes to PTSD.

Marisa Tracey - mother, wife and widow of the late Master Warrant Officer Daniel Tracey, who died by suicide on October 13, 2022 - courageously talks about living with and loving a military man who battled mental health and PTSD until his suicide. Marisa discusses surviving Dan’s suicide and learning how to heal herself and her family. What is the definition of survivorship? Survivorship literally means the act of surviving and the further recognition that there is more to life after the suicide of a loved one than just surviving. A husband, father, friend and colleague - at the age of 46, MWO Daniel Basil Tracey ended his life by suicide. With a military career spanning over 21 years, Dan joined the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and the Royal Canadian corps of Signals (RCCS) in 2002 as a Signals Operator. After serving with the 2nd Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group (2 CMBG), as a member of 2 CMBG HQ and Signal Squadron and subsequently of 1st Battalion Royal Canadian Regiment, Dan joined the Canadian Special Operations Forces Command (CANSOFCOM). Dan was an expert in his field, a leader, a mentor, a brother in arms, and a loyal friend. Everyone would say that they didn’t see the signs leading up to Dan taking his life, but looking back, he struggled terribly with mental health and PTSD/PTSI. In the words of his widow, “Dan knew how to save everyone, he just didn’t know how to save himself.”

Jon Archambault - CAF Veteran, mental health advocate and founder of Wired Differently, author of Operation: Wired Differently, podcast host of the Black Sheep Podcast, Leadership Coach and founder of Jon A. Archambault - Elite Consultant, and former police officer. Jon invited me on his podcast to discuss the systemic gaslighting within a police detachment and how a paramilitary approach make it difficult for members to have a voice and advocate for their mental health needs. We discuss what we feel is wrong with the system and current leadership.

*trigger warning - discussion of suicide and traumatic events*

Part two of two with Fire Chief Dave Robertson, Fire Service Career Coach, and Deputy Chief of Training with Lambton Shores Fire Rescue. Dave comes home to Canada from Napa to chart his new path all the while experiencing imposter syndrome and having the injury of post traumatic stress tap him on the shoulder to remind him that it's still there. Dave shares his passion for training, coaching, and mentoring new recruits so that they can do and be their best. He carries hope for the future that departments support one another and know that they're not alone and we can make it, together.

*trigger warning - discussion of suicide and traumatic events*

Part one of two with Fire Chief Dave Robertson, Fire Service Career Coach, and Deputy Chief of Training with Lambton Shores Fire Rescue. Dave discusses how he 'dropped' into becoming a firefighter, beginning his career in departments with a boys' club mentality, harassment, and lack of support and training. He goes down the path of how post-traumatic stress affects life as a whole and how he danced with suicide, all in hopes that in telling his story he can help others know they're not alone.

*Potential trigger warning - topics of military duty, lost lives, and suicide.*

The conclusion with Corey Hatt of Mad Hatter Industries where he delves into his own mental health issues and breaking point. Corey is honest and genuine in acknowledging that he was his own block in dealing with his struggles as he kept silent and tried to go it alone. In getting the help that he needed he wants to be an example to others, leading the way by showing that it's not weak to talk about the issues that plague us as human beings and that seeking help is a sign of strength. He believes that we owe it to the people who couldn't make it back, to find that mental resilience and continue to move forward to find a healthy balance to living.

*Potential trigger warning - topics of military duty, lost lives, and suicide*.

Corey Hatt, founder of Mad Hatter Industries, takes us on a few adventures as he talks about his mission. He created MHI in 2019 to raise mental health awareness and promote suicide prevention after losing a 'brother in arms'. He is open and real, stressing that using suicide as an option out is a permanent fix to a temporary problem.

Alberta Sheriff Highway Patrol Officer, Chad Kennedy, set out on foot across Canada earlier this year to raise awareness for PTSD after experiencing a traumatic event that changed the course of his life. Although it may appear a one-man show, Chad has the constant support of his loyal and steadfast team as well as the backing of an entire country who is watching and cheering on 'just a guy' who is making a change in the world for mental health, one step at a time.