The unfortunate reality is that suicide and PTSD are pervasive in the first responder community, affecting law enforcement, corrections officers, firefighters, emergency medical personnel, and 911 dispatchers. It’s time to dispel outdated beliefs about PTSD and acknowledge that Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is an injury, not a weakness, suffered by many first responders. Only then can we truly begin to identify it and equip these professionals with proven resilience strategies to combat its effects.
Retired Master Police Officer Derek Stephens draws from his personal, silent battle with frontline trauma and PTSD to share the profound impact these experiences have on the brain and body. By recounting his journey to rebuild resilience and regain normalcy, Derek offers a powerful foundation for helping first responders strengthen their mental health and overall well-being.
Because No One Should Fight Alone
Topics of discussion include:
- This Job Will Change You
- PTSD is an Injury, Not a Weakness
- What PTSD Looks/Feels Like
- Understanding Post-Traumatic Stress Injuries
- Direct Trauma & Vicarious Trauma
- What Happens to the Brain During Trauma
- Healthy Ways to Build Resiliency for First Responders
- Learning to Live in the Moment