The Sad Truth about our Nations Heroes

First responders™ and veterans are the unsung heroes of our society. They put their lives on the line to protect us, defend our freedoms, and maintain law and order. However, the nature of their work can have a significant impact on their mental and emotional health, which often goes unaddressed. The need to address the mental and emotional health of our first responders and veterans cannot be overstated. It is imperative that we normalize talking about it, so that they can get the help they need and deserve.

First responders™, including police officers, firefighters, and emergency medical services (EMS) personnel, are routinely exposed to traumatic incidents. They witness accidents, homicides, natural disasters, and other distressing events, which can cause psychological distress, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). According to a study conducted by the Ruderman Family Foundation, in 2017, more police officers died by suicide than in the line of duty. This highlights the urgent need to address the mental health needs of our first responders.

Similarly, veterans who have served in combat zones are at a high risk of developing mental health conditions such as PTSD, depression, and anxiety. According to the US Department of Veterans Affairs, approximately 11-20% of veterans who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom have PTSD. These mental health issues can lead to substance abuse, relationship problems, and even suicide.

Despite the high prevalence of mental health issues among first responders and veterans, many are reluctant to seek help. There is still a stigma associated with mental health issues, particularly in these professions where there is a culture of toughness and resilience. The fear of being perceived as weak or unstable can prevent first responders and veterans from seeking help, even when they need it.

It is essential that we normalize talking about mental health issues in these professions. By creating an open and accepting environment, we can encourage first responders and veterans to seek the help they need without fear of judgement or stigma. This can be achieved by providing training to supervisors and colleagues on how to recognize signs of mental health issues and how to provide support to those who are struggling.

Additionally, we need to ensure that mental health services are readily available and accessible to first responders and veterans. This can include providing confidential counseling services, peer support groups, and other resources to help them manage their mental health. Many first responder and veteran organizations have implemented such programs, but they need more support to ensure that they are available to all who need them.

Finally, we need to recognize the importance of self-care and wellness practices in promoting mental and emotional health. First responders and veterans can benefit from practicing mindfulness, yoga, and other activities that promote relaxation and stress reduction. By promoting wellness practices and making them accessible, we can help first responders and veterans manage their mental and emotional health proactively.

In conclusion, addressing the mental and emotional health of our first responders and veterans is imperative. We need to create a culture where it is normal to talk about mental health issues and seek help when needed. By providing support, resources, and education, we can ensure that first responders and veterans get the help they need to manage their mental health and continue to serve our communities and country with the honor and dignity they deserve.

Navy Seal Method "Box Breathing" for Emotional Regulation & Resiliency

It is critical to have tools in our tool belt that we can learn and implement on the daily as we encounter challenging situations on our lives not only personally but professionally as first responders™. After learning this simple technique of breathing called "Box Breathing" you'll begin to understand your own body systems and be able to learn how regulating our own physiology leads to helping rebalance our physiological state which supports rebalancing our cognitive and emotional state and helps us be in the most resourceful place where we have access to our best judgment of our skills and wisdom and support our lives.

Follow the link here https://bit.ly/3LsTNJj to watch a video with Fleet Maull PHD with the Center for Mindfulness in Public Safety as he walks you through a simple  "Box breathing" exercise  and the science behind it that will allow you to understand this simple method that offers amazing benefits when utilized. 

Breathe is key and crucial in all functions of our entire system. I invite you to breathe consciously and deeply as often as possible to aid and assist in regulating emotions and the body/mind connection.

Heroes with Humble Hearts - Upcoming Podcast Guest Danny Harris

It never ceases to amaze me when I meet another service member that has put their life on the line for not only their communities and nation, but their families as well and the humility of character that is paired with courage and bravery.

Our upcoming podcast guest, Danny Harris is one of those heroes. Coming from a family line of Marines and service members who not only served in World War II & Vietnam but were men of strong character serving a purpose higher than themselves and showing up in life.

Read the following excerpt below to learn more about Danny Harris as he tells part of his origin story and they man of faith and service he is. 

My name is Daniel Kenneth Harris. My father was a marine, as well as his father before him. Both of them saw combat. My grandfather fought on Guadalcanal canal during WWII, and my father, Vietnam. They were humble heroes, speaking very little of what they went through. 

Some how, they managed to allow their experiences to shape them into men of strong character. Their example was invaluable to me and greatly contributed to my path to become a firefighter. Growing up I was raised to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ. 

In retrospect I believe that those teachings also played a huge role in my decision to become a firefighter. As a teen, I toyed with the idea of making movies, being a professional snowboarder, or maybe even becoming a pilot in the Navy. Ultimately it was my affinity for danger, love of helping others and a desire for lots of time off that lead me to peruse a career in the fire service.

I spent 8 years as a firefighter/paramedic working full time for Orem City Utah. During that same time I spent 1 year part time with Unified Fire Authority, and a handful of part time years with Pleasant Grove City. I have a Bachelors degree from UVU in public service and emergency management. I was a nationally certified paramedic. I was ADO, Fire Instructor and Fire Officer certified and I was a certified instructor for the AHA.

I met my beautiful wife right as my career started. When I met her she was finishing her undergrad at BYU with the goal of becoming a dentist. While we didn’t know what the future held, I kept plugging away at my fire career knowing that someday I might leave it to help my wife and family find the best opportunities as a dentist. By the time I left, It didn’t make sense to continue my path as a firefighter, so I left to stay home with the kids. I also currently help with the management of our dental practice.

I’m still an adrenaline junkie, following after passions like diving, spearfishing, surfing, skating etc. and I still have the opportunity to serve my community through different positions I’ve held in my local church congregation.

I cried 3 times in my Career: the day I was hired, the day I realized how to truly love the people I treated/served and the day I left my brothers. One message I would share about Hope and resilience has to do with the second time I cried in my career. I found that everyone has a story, everyone is going through something and that losing yourself in the service of others, truly caring about what they are experiencing and doing what you can to help, can make your own burdens feel lighter. It can also heighten your personal awareness, alerting you to behaviors that can entrap you. I learned that it can spark an untapped gratitude within you, helping you to live a rich and full life.

Stay tuned for this soon to be released upcoming episode. Follow this link and be sure to follow for new episodes coming soon. 

What is this Bio Tapping people are talking about?

It has many names such as EFT (emotional freedom technique) bio tapping, tapping and others and yet it is all the same process and is creating lasting change for people around the world in nearly every area in regards to mental and emotional health and resiliency. 

I myself was a skeptic as it seemed far too simple to truly and actually be effective. My mind was completely changed and I became a raving fan after a very traumatic experience I went through, leaving me in a state of despair. I had already done everything I had learned and known and used in the past to counteract the feelings and discomfort in my body and nothing was working. I felt as if acid was moving through my veins as I was in a bad state of dis regulation.

I called my EMDR doctor and asked if he could help and said we couldn't do anything in that realm as I was in a rough spot and he recommended an EFT therapist to me and she called me 30 minutes later as I was crying uncontrollably shaking on the ground in an intense trauma response.

After one 30 minute session of tapping and being walked through the process my entire physiology and psychology changed entirely. I was relaxed, I was breathing normally, I felt at peace in my body after days of being in despair. I am forever grateful for this modality and would strongly encourage if not require everyone to learn it in their lives as a foundational tool in their tool kit. 

Follow this link to learn about the science from ancient Chinese medicine, how it works and more from The Tapping Solution.  The more we know on how we can control and regulate ourselves the better our lives will be as we continue on our live adventure. 

https://www.thetappingsolution.com/what-is-eft-tapping/