mental health, first responders, public safety, PTSD, leadership, training, resilience, coping strategies, community support, emotional well-beingsummaryIn this episode of The Weight We Carry Podcast, Bart and Brittany Heaney sit down with Scott Garing, Chief of Fire and Emergency Services for Cranberry Township. Scott shares his journey through public safety, the impact of his military service, and the importance of mental health awareness among first responders. He discusses the challenges of coping with trauma, the significance of continuous training, and the lessons learned from personal and professional tragedies. The conversation emphasizes the need for vulnerability, community support, and the ripple effect of helping others in the field of public safety.takeaways

• ​Mental health challenges are prevalent among first responders.
• ​Family influences can shape career paths significantly.
• ​Military service can impact mental health and coping mechanisms.
• ​Coping with trauma is a continuous journey.
• ​Leadership is about supporting and uplifting others.
• ​Continuous training is essential for public safety professionals.
• ​Embracing emotions is a sign of strength, not weakness.
• ​The importance of mentorship in personal and professional growth.
• ​Helping others can be a form of healing for oneself.
• ​It's okay to seek help and talk about mental health issues.
• ​Navigating Mental Health in First Responders
• ​Scott Garing: A Journey Through Public Safety
• ​"It's okay to not be okay."
• ​"I wear my heart on my sleeve."
• ​"Embrace the bad days."

titlesSound BitesChapters00:00Introduction to Scott Gehring03:18The Impact of 'Take Your Kid to Work Day'07:43Early Days in Public Safety11:39Military Service and 9/1115:26Challenges of Serving Overseas20:39Recognizing PTSD and Its Effects25:53Embracing Emotions and Vulnerability28:52The Aftermath of a Traumatic Incident35:18The Weight of Responsibility39:02Leadership Lessons from Tragedy41:47Navigating Personal and Professional Challenges45:38The Importance of Continuous Training50:32Making a Difference in Public Safety54:28Legacy and Mentorship in Public Safety58:00Mental Health and Coping Strategies01:01:16Embracing the Journey01:04:59The Importance of Fun and Connection01:06:37The Weight We Carry.mp4

In this episode of the Weight We Carry Podcast, Bart Heaney speaks with Tyler Kelly, a paramedic and deputy chief, about his journey into public safety, the challenges faced by first responders, and the importance of mental health support. Tyler shares his experiences, including his first major call involving a pediatric cardiac arrest, the impact of losing a colleague in the line of duty, and the ongoing struggle with trauma and grief in the EMS community. The conversation emphasizes the need for open discussions about mental health and the significance of support systems for first responders. In this conversation, Tyler Kelly and Bart Heaney discuss the challenges of mental health in public safety, the importance of therapy and medication, and the stigma surrounding mental health issues. They share personal experiences of navigating life changes, coping mechanisms, and the significance of support systems. The discussion emphasizes the need for open conversations about mental health and encourages the next generation of EMS professionals to prioritize self-care and resilience.

keywords

mental health, first responders, substance abuse, recovery, podcast, firefighter, resilience, hope, trauma, support

summary

In this episode of the Weight We Carry podcast, Bart and Brittany Heaney sit down with Chris Cerci, a retired firefighter who shares his powerful journey through loss, addiction, and recovery. Chris opens up about the impact of losing his father at a young age, his struggles with alcohol as a coping mechanism, and the traumatic experiences he faced in the line of duty. He emphasizes the importance of mental health support for first responders and the need to break the stigma surrounding these issues. Chris's story is one of resilience, hope, and the belief that recovery is possible, inspiring listeners to reach out for help and support one another.

takeaways

Chris Cerci shares his journey as a firefighter and the challenges he faced.

Losing his father at a young age had a profound impact on Chris's life.

Alcohol became a coping mechanism for Chris during difficult times.

The traumatic call involving children changed Chris's perspective on his career.

Mental health support is crucial for first responders.

Chris emphasizes the importance of breaking the stigma around mental health issues.

Recovery is possible, and reaching out for help is essential.

Integrity means doing the right thing even when no one is watching.

The firefighter combat challenge became a new purpose for Chris after recovery.

Chris encourages others to share their stories and support one another.

titles

From Trauma to Triumph: Chris Cerci's Story

Breaking the Stigma: Mental Health in First Responders

Sound Bites

"I would do it all again."

"You're not alone."

"Recovery is possible."

Chapters

00:00

Introduction and Background

03:43

Childhood and Early Life

06:40

Struggles with Alcohol

08:58

The Impact of Alcoholism on Family

11:44

Journey into the Fire Service

14:42

The Call That Changed Everything

17:43

Coping with Trauma and Guilt

23:33

Turning Point and Recovery

29:41

Life After Recovery and Reflection

33:55

Finding Purpose in the Storm

35:51

Experiencing Ground Zero: A First Responder's Perspective

41:02

The Depths of Despair: Contemplating Suicide

46:11

Breaking the Stigma: The Importance of Sharing Stories

48:42

The Turning Point: A Life-Changing Accident

50:47

Using Fitness as a Positive Outlet

58:21

Encouragement for Those Struggling

01:00:05

Support Systems: The Key to Recovery

01:03:35

Integrity and Accountability in Recovery

01:05:16

A Message of Hope for First Responders

01:12:30

The Weight We Carry.mp4