The Traumatic States of America
The Traumatic States of America
8. How one Emergency Responder is Smashing the Stigma of Saying, "I Need Help."
Micheal Sugrue knew his calling at a very young age; he was meant to be a first responder. He also had role models who showed him what serving in the military and on the street as a police officer meant.
Join Dr. Hood as she talks with Michael about his experience as a Captain in the United States Air Force specializing in Global Force Protection, Anti-Terrorism, Air Base Ground Defense, Nuclear Security as well as his tenure as a Field Training Officer, SIU Detective, and Undercover Special Agent assigned to statewide Drug Task Force.
As an airforce leader in his mid-twenties to Sergeant in the police force to what he calls "leadership betrayal" later in his career. Find out how one man who was strong enough to raise his hand and say, "I need help" has made it his life's mission to help others through his public speaking, authorship, and podcast appearances.
During this podcast, Dr. Hood connects Michael's stories of emergency responder academy training and military boot camp, to the neurological research literature, which explains the deep bonding that takes place in small groups that go through stress. Together they connect the dots and Dr. Hood asks the question, “What if we could harness that neurologically-based bond to break through the stigma of PTSI to reach people before they ever attempt, let alone complete suicide?
If you, your significant other, or someone you know is an emergency responder don't miss this episode. Together we can #crushthestigma of PTSI, break through the cultural walls that keep first responders from feeling safe enough to ask for help and pull one individual at a time from the downward spiral of PTSI.
If you need help right now, call 911 or visit: https://codegreencampaign.org/resources/
To reach Dr. Hood for individual support visit: https://www.respondersfirstllc.com/
To reach the retreat Micheal Sugrue spoke about visit: https://www.frsn.org/west-coast-post-trauma-retreat.html
References for the brain imaging studies referenced in this episode visit:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2729089/