Helping First Responders build their wellness & resiliency toolbox, teaching tactical strategies to combat stress.
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Post Traumatic Stress Injury (PTSI) is the leading cause of suicide in our first responder community. We survived ; And now we are bringing tactical solutions to you.
The Single Greatest Cause of Death for our First Responders is Suicide
You've seen and experienced things you sometimes wish you didn't. You've always known things could get bad, but you always found a way to push it aside, to bury it and move on. You tell yourself, "Another drink will make me feel okay."
Nearly 400,000 first responders in the United States are suffering from PTSI symptoms. Klimley, Kristin E.; Van Hasselt, Vincent B.; Stripling, Ashley M. (November 2018). "Posttraumatic stress disorder in police, firefighters, and emergency dispatchers". Aggression and Violent Behavior. 43: 33–44. doi:10.1016/j.avb.2018.08.005. ISSN 1359-1789.
For the third straight year, police suicides outnumbered line of duty deaths. Lohr, David (January 2019). Huff Post
“The single greatest cause of death for law enforcement officers each year is suicide,” Jeff McGill, vice president of Blue H.E.L.P.
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You know that if things stay the same you'll continue to experience:
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Stress
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Frustration
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Self Isolation
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Breakdown in leadership
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Low morale​
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Restless or no sleep
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Hypervigilance
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It is possible to recover from PTSI, because it's an injury and not a permanent disorder. John, Samantha, and Jeff have all been there. Collectively, they survived multiple suicide attempts and suicidal ideations. They understand the STIGMA that goes along with asking for help. They've also experienced the FREEDOM from "breaking through" the STIGMA and finding the help they needed to survive. They are here to help you. Whether you are the Chief of Police or a new fire cadet, you've likely experienced and / or identified PTSI within your departments. John, Samantha, and Jeff will help you identify PTSI and offer REAL solutions that you can use whenever the stress and anxiety rears it's ugly head, which means:
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More resilience
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Increased morale
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Better job performance
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Effective communication
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Contact A Badge of Honor today, bring our workshop to your department and be a part of the solution to help end the STIGMA that is killing our first responders. Remember, it's okay not to be okay...It's just not okay to stay there.
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*A Badge of Honor is a 501(c)(3) Federal Public Charity. ID # 86-2536780*
YOUR TEAM
John Salerno, 9/11 First Responder, Firefighter, Retired NYPD Detective & host of A Badge of Honor Podcast
Samantha Horwitz, 9/11 First Responder, Former United States Secret Service Agent, author, and co-host of A Badge of Honor Podcast
John Edmonson, MS LPC-S
Director of Wellness, Healing Springs Ranch, CEO Lifeworks Foundation.
Jeff Freeman, former Dallas County Sheriff's Deputy, Current Rowlett Police Officer.
What others are Saying
"This was the first time in 28 years that anyone cared about the trauma I was exposed to." ~ Police Officer
"At first I was hesitant thinking this was just another training course. Wow was I wrong. This is a must for all first responders." ~ 911 Communicator
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"With the instructors sharing their personal struggles it made me feel more connected." ~ Police Officer
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"I appreciated the honest conversations." ~ Police Officer
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"What was most effective was sharing the struggles and then the help available to show there is a way out of the
darkness." ~ Police Officer
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"You provided great tools and resources for first responders to effectively work through stress and trauma." ~ CISM team member
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"This training is needed in every department from the academy on up." ~ Police Officer
"It was one of the best workshops that I have ever attended." ~ Police Officer
"Absolutely fantastic! I could have listened to more." ~ Police Officer
"A must attend for those in peer support and CISM." ~ Police Officer
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"Y'all covered all the important aspects of trauma and PTSI." ~ Firefighter
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" The workshop was excellent and easy to understand." ~ Therapist
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"As a former LEO, y'all nailed it! This is what we are going through and it needs to be talked about even more."
~ Retired Police Officer
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"I'm a supporter and had no idea the impact of your jobs. Thank you for bringing this forward." ~ Civilian supporter of first responders
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