first responder podcast

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.

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.”

*Potential trigger warning - topics of military duty, lost lives, and suicide.* The conclusion with Corey Hatt of Mad Hatter Industries where he delves into his own mental health issues and breaking point. Corey is honest and genuine in acknowledging that he was his own block in dealing with his struggles as he kept silent and tried to go it alone. In getting the help that he needed he wants to be an example to others, leading the way by showing that it's not weak to talk about the issues that plague us as human beings and that seeking help is a sign of strength. He believes that we owe it to the people who couldn't make it back, to find that mental resilience and continue to move forward to find a healthy balance to living.

*Potential trigger warning - topics of military duty, lost lives, and suicide*. Corey Hatt, founder of Mad Hatter Industries, takes us on a few adventures as he talks about his mission. He created MHI in 2019 to raise mental health awareness and promote suicide prevention after losing a 'brother in arms'. He is open and real, stressing that using suicide as an option out is a permanent fix to a temporary problem.