mental health, first responders, dispatchers, trauma, PTSD, support, resources, Deborah Green, public safety, law enforcementsummaryIn this episode of the Weight We Carry podcast, Bart Heaney speaks with Deborah Green, a retired 911 dispatcher with nearly 30 years of experience. They discuss the mental health challenges faced by first responders, the importance of seeking help, and the impact of trauma on dispatchers. Deborah shares her personal journey, including her experiences in the military, law enforcement, and the intense calls she handled as a dispatcher. They emphasize the need for better mental health support within the first responder community and advocate for a cultural shift away from the stigma surrounding mental health issues.takeaways

• Mental health is a significant issue for first responders.
• Deborah Green's journey highlights the importance of seeking help.
• Transitioning from military to law enforcement can be challenging.
• Intense experiences as a dispatcher can lead to trauma.
• Survivor's guilt is a common feeling among dispatchers after traumatic events.
• Recognizing mental health issues is crucial for recovery.
• Support systems and resources are essential for mental health.
• Coping strategies can help in the recovery process.
• Advocating for change in mental health support is necessary.
• Creating a supportive environment for first responders is vital.

• Breaking the Silence: Mental Health in First Responders
• Deborah Green: A Dispatcher’s Journey Through Trauma

• "It's okay to not be okay."
• "We want to lift people up."
• "Reach out, reach out often."

titlesSound BitesChapters00:00Introduction to Deborah Green02:39Deborah's Journey into Public Safety06:02Military Experience and Transition to Dispatch08:31Intense Calls and Critical Incidents11:13The Impact of Trauma on Dispatchers15:27Breaking the Stigma of Mental Health17:51Recognizing Signs of Mental Health Issues21:42Seeking Help and Finding Resources26:36The Officer-Involved Shooting Incident31:37Navigating Mental Health After Trauma37:13Deciding to Leave the Job37:54Navigating Trauma and Recovery39:31The Role of Family in Healing41:55Ongoing Support and Coping Strategies44:16Exploring Alternative Therapies48:50The Importance of Early Mental Health Awareness52:34Breaking the Stigma of Seeking Help56:14Supporting Each Other in the First Responder Community01:00:08Final Reflections and Resources01:03:32The Weight We Carry.mp4

keywordsmental health, first responders, 911 dispatcher, peer support, PTSD, crisis intervention, public safety, coping mechanisms, resilience, community supportsummaryIn this episode of the Weight We Carry Podcast, Bart Heaney and Abbie Ellis discuss the often unseen mental health challenges faced by first responders. Abbie shares her personal journey from growing up in Harmony, North Carolina, to becoming a 911 dispatcher. She opens up about her struggles with mental health, including PTSD and anxiety, and the importance of peer support in the first responder community. The conversation emphasizes the need to break the stigma surrounding mental health and the significance of creating a supportive environment within public safety agencies.takeaways

• Abbie's upbringing in a small town shaped her work ethic.
• She transitioned from aspiring Navy corpsman to 911 dispatcher due to health issues.
• Recognizing mental health struggles is crucial for first responders.
• The hospital experience can be daunting but is a step towards recovery.
• Finding purpose and stability after a crisis is a journey.
• Coping with heavy calls is a challenge for dispatchers.
• Peer support is vital in addressing mental health in first responders.
• Breaking the stigma around mental health is essential for healing.
• Creating a supportive environment starts with leadership in agencies.
• It's important to acknowledge that you can't control everything.

• Breaking the Stigma: Mental Health in First Responders
• From Dispatcher to Advocate: Abbie's Journey

• "I don't want to be here, Mom."
• "It's okay to ask for help."
• "You can't control everything."

titlesSound BitesChapters00:00Introduction to Abby Ellis and Her Background02:10Growing Up in Harmony, North Carolina04:12Work Ethic and Early Jobs04:40Inspiration from Family and Firefighting07:03Impact of Moving on Stability09:01Involvement in ROTC and Community Service11:03Transition from Military Aspirations to Dispatching14:05Lessons from Firefighting for Dispatching16:06Struggles with Mental Health20:50Navigating Hospitalization and Recovery24:17Finding Purpose and Stability26:15Impact of Traumatic Calls on Mental Health32:03Coping Mechanisms and Peer Support36:04Peer Support and Seeking Help44:00Recognizing and Managing Burnout48:08Crisis Intervention Team: Importance and Role51:43Balancing Personal and Professional Lives56:27Breaking the Stigma of Mental Health01:01:31Creating Supportive Environments in Agencies01:05:33The Weight We Carry.mp4

Keywords: mental health, first responders, peer support, CISM, stress management, PTSD, compassion fatigue, emergency services, resilience, public safetytakeaways

• Mental health challenges are prevalent among first responders.
• Peer support and CISM are essential for emotional well-being.
• Stigma around mental health is decreasing but still present.
• Recognizing signs of distress is crucial for intervention.
• CISM provides structured support after critical incidents.
• Untreated stress can lead to severe mental health issues.
• Building resilience is key for first responders.
• Creating a supportive environment helps reduce stigma.
• Resources are available for mental health support.
• Getting involved in peer support can make a difference.

• The Weight We Carry: Mental Health in First Responders
• Breaking the Stigma: Mental Health Awareness

• "Building resilience is key for first responders."
• "Creating a supportive environment helps reduce stigma."
• "Resources are available for mental health support."

In this episode of The Weight We Carry podcast, host Bart Heaney speaks with Jeremy Meyer, a retired director of 911, about the often unseen mental health challenges faced by first responders. They discuss the importance of peer support and Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) in addressing these challenges, the stigma surrounding mental health in public safety, and the need for ongoing education and resources. Jeremy shares his personal journey and insights on recognizing signs of distress, building resilience, and creating a supportive environment for first responders. The conversation emphasizes the critical need for mental health awareness and the role of peer support in fostering a healthier work culture.titles

Sound Bites

Chapters00:00Introduction to Public Safety and Peer Support03:27The Importance of Peer Support in 91106:33Understanding CISM and Peer Support09:36Stigma and Mental Health in First Responders12:28Stressors Faced by Dispatchers15:27The Need for Mental Health Support18:25Recognizing Signs of Distress21:31The Process of Seeking Peer Support40:26Empathy in Crisis Management45:36Understanding Critical Incident Stress Management48:38Long-Term Effects of Untreated Stress52:54Teaching Resilience and Coping Strategies56:42Seeking Help and Building Support Networks01:05:47Breaking the Stigma of Mental Health01:13:19Resources and Final Thoughts01:16:03The Weight We Carry.mp4