A Must-See For First Responder Mental Health Training
Stirring stories of real first responders who have struggled with mental health challenges and came out on the other side.
These brave men and women demonstrate that seeking help is a strength, not a weakness, and that hope and recovery are possible.
Make a pay what you can donation for a DVD or digital download of these eight short films:
Who are these films for?
“This helps me see police officers as human beings.”
First Responder Mental Health Short Films
// A police officer shot during a domestic violence call who struggles with the aftermath of that situation. //
// A dispatcher who talks openly about what it’s like to talk to everyone “on the worst day of their lives.” //
// An officer who thought about “taking myself out” after losing his wife and children due to his alcoholism. //
// And more. //
Why these films?
In 2016, 2017, and 2018, more first responders killed themselves than died in murders or on-duty accidents.
Anxiety, depression, complex PTSD, repeated exposure to trauma, relationship issues, substance abuse are all problems endemic to first responder culture, which sometimes perpetuates a stigma against seeking help.
“As an officer, I find these videos really well put together.”
The Storytellers
Rob Davis, Police Officer
Ed Pila, Police Officer (Ret.)
Craig Tinneny, Dispatcher
Joseph Peterson, Police Officer
Michelle Monzo, Instructor
Ron Griffith, Police Officer (Ret.)
Ian Stoddart, Paramedic
Ashley Neubauer, Paramedic/Firefighter
The full run-time of all the short films together, plus the brief trailer, is about 46 minutes.
“I enjoyed the video because it highlights how PTSD is common in police officers and that they need to take care of their mental health to perform well on the job and have a healthy personal life. I wanted to use it for my educational video for officers because the interviewee was an experienced officer that shared his personal experience. I think it can help to reduce the stigma towards mental health by showing that PTSD is common and taking care of your mental health is both an important and normal part of life.”
OC87 Recovery Diaries exists to tell stories about how people with mental health challenges have created paths to meaningful lives. We feature stories that inspire and empower, stories that generate discussion and awareness.
OC87 Recovery Diaries presents a range of experiences— personal perspectives, recovery innovations, examples of empowerment, strengths and gaps in the mental health system, and efforts to dismantle stigma—all told by people moving through their own recovery journeys.
Learn more about OC87 Recovery Diaries »