Suicide Survivorship: Marisa Tracey, wife of the late MWO Daniel Tracey

Exploring the latest in brain health and trauma, Ryan Carey is a retired Captain of the Canadian Armed Forces and a passionate advocate for veterans' well-being. Not only did Ryan serve in the CAF, but he also played professional football in the Canadian Football League. Intimately knowing the connection between sport and military concussions and head injuries, he was thrown into the world of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain disease caused by repeated brain trauma. After retiring from the military, Ryan joined Project Enlist Canada, a research initiative that aims to accelerate critical research on traumatic brain injury (TBI), CTE, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in military veterans. Ryan has pledged to donate his brain to Project Enlist Canada, hoping to contribute to the advancement of science and the improvement of the lives of those affected by brain trauma. He also raises awareness and educates others about the signs, symptoms, and treatments of CTE and related disorders. In addition, Ryan is the founder of Operation Brain Health, a program (and soon-to-be app) that helps veterans develop healthier habits. The program provides tools and guidance for exercising regularly, eating well, sleeping better, as well as peer support and social integration. Operation Brain Health is part of Ryan's mission to help veterans feel better and cope with the challenges of brain injury and their symptoms. Special thanks to Brendan Hynes and his coffee company, Your Daily Fix, for sponsoring this episode. Brendan is a member of the Canadian Armed Forces as well as a proud Ambassador of Project Enlist.

Part II of II The Silver Cop Robin Ferrie of the Ottawa Police Service and I pick up on the day he found himself immersed in chaos at the National War Memorial on the day that Corporal Nathan Cirillo was gunned down standing sentry at The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. We discuss the infamous photo seen around the world and how Robin found his voice and moved forward in healing and advocacy for others through coaching and P3 Wellness. This episode being dropped on January 9th is dedicated to all lawn enforcement as today is National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day.

Part I of II with The Silver Cop, Robin Ferrie of Ottawa Police Service and I discuss men not speaking up at the risk of being seen as weak, as well as the stigma and institutional betrayal when attempting to seek mental health supports. This episode was recorded on December 29th and is dedicated to Constable Ireneusz "Eric" Czapnik of OPS in honour of his service and sacrifice, as it was the 14th anniversary of his line-of-duty death and murder. We recall the day that Cst. Eric Czapnik lost his life and the roll that Robin took on.

On the heels of multiple First Responders taking their lives, Emily Zufelt takes a walk inside the mind with suicide. On her own recovery journey with PTSD and CPTSD, she dares to say the things that don't get said, out loud. In Emily's first solo episode she attempts to highlight what anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts do to wreak havoc inside the minds of the incredible people who struggle with mental health and live with mental illness.

Guest, critical thinker and speaker, Seb Lavoie reached out as he felt that a social media post was feeding into victim mentality and he wanted to either understand, support, or perhaps, both. What happened next through an abundance of alignment and respect is an enlightened and organic conversation between two people who discuss the importance of taking a 'tactical pause' and how victim mentality is the number one wellness killer. This episode is special in that it is dedicated to two incredible young women: Angela Lee Pucci and her late sister, Victoria lee. They are bound by sisterhood, mma, and suicide. To honour Victoria, Angela launched the mental health not for profit, Fight Story.

The Caring Support Podcast hosts, James Smith and Cali Wiersma invited me on the show to discuss some of the common misconceptions of PTSI/PTSD amongst law enforcement and healthcare professionals. We delve into how departments and organizations can better support their members who are struggling with mental health and the overt challenges and resistance faced by law enforcement personnel when it comes to PTSD.

Marisa Tracey - mother, wife and widow of the late Master Warrant Officer Daniel Tracey, who died by suicide on October 13, 2022 - courageously talks about living with and loving a military man who battled mental health and PTSD until his suicide. Marisa discusses surviving Dan’s suicide and learning how to heal herself and her family. What is the definition of survivorship? Survivorship literally means the act of surviving and the further recognition that there is more to life after the suicide of a loved one than just surviving. A husband, father, friend and colleague - at the age of 46, MWO Daniel Basil Tracey ended his life by suicide. With a military career spanning over 21 years, Dan joined the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and the Royal Canadian corps of Signals (RCCS) in 2002 as a Signals Operator. After serving with the 2nd Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group (2 CMBG), as a member of 2 CMBG HQ and Signal Squadron and subsequently of 1st Battalion Royal Canadian Regiment, Dan joined the Canadian Special Operations Forces Command (CANSOFCOM). Dan was an expert in his field, a leader, a mentor, a brother in arms, and a loyal friend. Everyone would say that they didn’t see the signs leading up to Dan taking his life, but looking back, he struggled terribly with mental health and PTSD/PTSI. In the words of his widow, “Dan knew how to save everyone, he just didn’t know how to save himself.”

Jon Archambault - CAF Veteran, mental health advocate and founder of Wired Differently, author of Operation: Wired Differently, podcast host of the Black Sheep Podcast, Leadership Coach and founder of Jon A. Archambault - Elite Consultant, and former police officer. Jon invited me on his podcast to discuss the systemic gaslighting within a police detachment and how a paramilitary approach make it difficult for members to have a voice and advocate for their mental health needs. We discuss what we feel is wrong with the system and current leadership.

*trigger warning - discussion of suicide and traumatic events* Part two of two with Fire Chief Dave Robertson, Fire Service Career Coach, and Deputy Chief of Training with Lambton Shores Fire Rescue. Dave comes home to Canada from Napa to chart his new path all the while experiencing imposter syndrome and having the injury of post traumatic stress tap him on the shoulder to remind him that it's still there. Dave shares his passion for training, coaching, and mentoring new recruits so that they can do and be their best. He carries hope for the future that departments support one another and know that they're not alone and we can make it, together.

*trigger warning - discussion of suicide and traumatic events* Part one of two with Fire Chief Dave Robertson, Fire Service Career Coach, and Deputy Chief of Training with Lambton Shores Fire Rescue. Dave discusses how he 'dropped' into becoming a firefighter, beginning his career in departments with a boys' club mentality, harassment, and lack of support and training. He goes down the path of how post-traumatic stress affects life as a whole and how he danced with suicide, all in hopes that in telling his story he can help others know they're not alone.