In this episode of the Move the Chains Podcast, Ryan Munsey speaks with Dena Ali, a battalion chief with the Raleigh (NC) Fire Department and mental wellness advocate for first responders. Dena is also the Program Manager for Behavioral Health for the First Responder Center For Excellence, and the author of the Fire Engineering bestselling book Hope out of Darkness ~ A Guide to First Responder Mental Wellness.
They discuss the importance of understanding mental health struggles through the lens of environmental factors rather than personal blame. The conversation emphasizes the significance of patience, emotional intelligence, and the need to address root causes of mental health issues rather than just treating symptoms. In this conversation, Dena Ali discusses the importance of shifting from a reactive to a proactive approach in mental health, particularly for first responders. She emphasizes building resilience through adversity, the power of gratitude, and the significance of humor in coping with stress. Dena also highlights the critical role of sleep in maintaining mental and physical health, and the need for first responders to have tools and strategies - including play - to manage their mental wellness effectively.
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