Tag: cops

Duty, Honor and the COURAGE to ask for HELP. Michael Sugrue

Michael is a retired police sergeant with the City of Walnut Creek with over 14 years of service including specialized assignments as a Field Training Officer, SIU Detective and Undercover Special Agent assigned to California Department of Justice Drug Task Force.
Before becoming a police officer Michael served 6 ½ years in the U.S. Air Force as a Captain (Security Forces) specializing in Global Force Protection, Anti-Terrorism, Air Base Ground Defense, Nuclear Security and Law Enforcement.
As a new police sergeant, Michael encountered a situation that was not only tragic and overwhelmingly surreal but it was a call for duty that changed his life forever. Michael found himself in reckless abandon and on the verge of self-destruction until he mustered the courage to ask for help.
Michael tells his story of survival, recovery and healing after a deadly force incident and wants others to know that they are not alone.

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Next Rung
Firefighter Charlie Brown is a firefighter/paramedic for the Glendale Fire Department in Glendale, Ca serving as a firefighter for 8 and a paramedic for 5. Charlie is the co-director of Next Rung alongside founder Blake Stinnett.
Next Rung’s mission is to help combat mental health issues among Firefighters and First Responders. Mental health issues and an alarming amount of suicides have become more of an issue among Firefighters, EMS Personnel and the First Responder Community as a whole.
Next Rung is a 501c3 non-profit organization that provides peer support (one-on-one conversation with another firefighter/first responder) and financial assistance for licensed counseling. Next Rung gives back to families who have lost their Firefighter/First Responder to suicide by providing a care package and monetary donation.
Next Rung’s desire is to bring a new level of awareness to the increasing issues we face as Firefighters/First Responders.

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“Recovery and Survival” Kat Heldman

Positive Connections Radio Podcast #27, interview with Kat Heldman.

Kat is a public health policy advocate, trauma coach and speaker, real estate agent, climbing coach and community outreach member for the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence.
Kat shares her experiences with addiction, her son’s brush with death, surviving the 2015 Nepal Earthquake, surviving a narcissistic relationship and the tragic loss of her brother Christian.
Through all of these stressful and horrific life events Kat remained sober and continues to work a positive program of recovery. As a person in long term recovery she uses her story of survival to advocate for trauma recovery, public policy and addiction.

Facebook Trauma Recovery Group Link:
https://m.facebook.com/Heal-The-Heart-Trauma-Recovery-2128827843837889/?tsid=0.19423143892998407&source=result
Link to You Tube channel for recovery from narcissism abuse:
https://m.youtube.com/channel/UC3AZekyHk_tWYHkvpXWqNAg
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Listen to former Chief of Police Rudy Escalante talk about finding sobriety while in patrol and rising through the ranks to become Police Chief.

Mike Miller is a retired police sergeant with 28 years of sobriety. Mike talks about his life in the police force while suffering from alcoholism and how he was able to ask for help and finish his career. Mike and I talk in detail about first responder confidential support groups and what these groups are all about. If you or someone you know want to know more about recovery and are tired of keeping this issue a secret, listen and see what you think. I have found that what I thought was a dark secret was evident to others around me. They were just unable to ask me about it.

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Positive Connections Radio visits First Responders First, Episode 24.

Join me on location with James “Kansas” Cafferty and members of a new residential program exclusive only to First Responders seeking help with mental health issues. Meet Austin Gillespie-Director of Admissions and Care Vaughan-Director of Outreach and Public Relations.

Our mission at First Responders First is to provide unsurpassed top-quality medical, psychological and emotional care in a safe confidential environment to all First Responders, thus resulting in the restoration of careers, relationships and their lives.
Located in the breathtaking mountains of the Angeles National Forest, First Responders First is an 1100-acre executive state-of-the-art substance and alcohol abuse treatment program created exclusively to serve First Responders. This one-of-a-kind, first in the nation recovery center, focuses specifically on trauma-related issues (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Acute Stress, and Adjustment Disorder) as well as other mental health challenges that tie directly to the addictive process. We also offer a complete detoxification program.
Client confidentiality is protected by the law under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), which our treatment center is legally mandated to follow. Your information is confidential during your intake and stay with First Responders First, unless you give consent to release or it is authorized under qualifying regulations.
Our top-quality medical care is of priority at First Responders First. Our outstanding medical director, Joshua Flatow M.D. (board certified psychiatrist), leads our team of highly-credentialed compassionate clinicians. Upon arrival, each First Responder will receive a complete medical examination and evaluation as well as an individualized plan of treatment, and then the healing begins.
WWW.FirstRespondersFirst.com

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Chaplin Kevin Johnstone’s career path has included being a Chicago Suburban fireman, EMT, paramedic and a Navy Corpsman.
Johnstone began working for the L.A. Open Golf Tournament in 1977 and orchestrated every possible aspect of this nationally recognized major public event until attaining the position of General Chairman of the 1984 L.A. Open. He took a position at United Expositions and became vice president of sales and provided services to many of the largest trade shows and conventions in the U.S. In 1991, Johnstone joined Advanstar Expositions. In 1994 he became director of the massive NAMM Show. He also produced the Summer NAMM Show a well as events in Germany, China and Russia. After 18 years he left NAMM.
Kevin joined Staff Pro Inc., an affiliate of U.S. Security Associates, and managed many events for Staff Pro including the U.S. Open Tennis event, the GRAMMY’s, the Emmy’s, the Coachella and Stagecoach Music and Arts Festivals, to name just a few.
Now, as Safety Operations Manager at the Rock Church & Academy he oversees safety operations, event operations, Safety Team Training, CPS Investigations and helps produce of the Annual Church Safety + Security Conference. He is also a commissioned minister.
Kevin serves as a Chaplain for San Diego Fire-Rescue Department, Photographer for the Carlsbad Fire Department and is Past Commander and current Chaplain for the American Legion. He is also certified in Critical Incident Stress Management.

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Audrey was born in Scotland, raised and educated in N. Ireland. At age 25 she emigrated to USA. Audrey grew up riding horses, was an active Pony Clubber and seized every opportunity to further her knowledge and riding skills by traveling to work for European show jumpers during College summer vacations. Upon settling in California she pursued her love of 3-day event riding, which encompasses the 3 disciplines of dressage, cross country jumping and show jumping over 3 days. It was just 13 years ago Audrey learned about the horse slaughter industry in the US, which prompted her to begin rescuing horses out of the slaughter pipeline, and forming the non-profit, Saving Horses, Inc. It was time to give back to the horse. Over 150 horses have been rescued to date, many finding their new forever adoptive homes. Audrey currently cares for 10 sanctuary horses, incorporating the horses into Equine Assisted Therapy programs, and providing volunteer opportunities for individuals with PTSD and special needs.
Audrey has been married for 32 years to Neal, a builder/developer, and has one son Max, 25.
https://www.linkedin.com/company/mental-health-news-radio-network
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audrey@savinghorsesinc.com

Michael Henderson is a former 9-1-1 dispatch supervisor, former paramedic and former US Army Sergeant. Michael was the on-duty dispatch supervisor for the Sonoma County Tubb’s fire, which at the time was the biggest fire in the history of California. As a result of his experience during the fire, Michael was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Struggling with the symptoms of PTSD (depression, anxiety and suicidal ideations), Michael chose not to let the experience of the fire define who he was and took charge of his own recovery. Through self-reflection and self-awareness, Michael has begun his journey of recovery.

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Melanie Mikeska is a retired Sheriff’s Deputy of 20 years. Like the vast majority of First Responders, Melanie experienced many critical incidents and learned that showing emotions is a sign of weakness. Over time, the stuffing down of emotions and feelings became overwhelming and she found herself alone in her bathroom with her service handgun.
Melanie describes the crippling effects of PTSI and living in fear because of shame, guilt and stigma. In 2013 Melanie reached out for help and was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress and has spent the last 5 years recovering from this injury.
Melanie is married to her beautiful wife of fifteen years and has three children and seven grandkids. She enjoys poker, hanging out with family in her backyard and pool, traveling and spending time at the beach. Melanie is on the show to stand up and speak about her life in recovery so others who are suffering in silence can see that they are not alone and there is a way out.
https://www.linkedin.com/company/mental-health-news-radio-network
www.facebook.com/mentalhealthnewsradionetwork
www.mhnrnetwork.com