Episode 10: Chucky - Firefighter and Navy Veteran

Welcome to I Will Hold Space For Your Darkness; a First Responder Mental Health Podcast hosted by Erin Jane. 

A former Australian Police Officer and Detective, wife of an American Firefighter, previous crisis counsellor for a suicide prevention organization and current CISM trained, certified Life Coach for First Responders, Emergency Services Members, Spouses and Loved Ones.

In this episode, Erin speaks with Chucky, a current Firefighter with a busy metropolitan Fire Department in MA for the last 18 years and a Navy Veteran, where he served for 12 years.

Erin and Chucky discuss what drew him to want to serve in the armed forces, why he chose the Navy over the Marines and what it was like to already be serving his country, when the attack occurred on 9/11.

Chucky explains it was during his service that he got the taste to join the fire department, what his process was like and how he spent the first decade working on an Engine. He also details how he came to be in his current role, as the Tactical Aide/Assistant to a Division Deputy Chief and what that role entails.

Erin and Chucky discuss the mental health aspects that come along with service, both to your country as a member of the Navy, as well as to your community, as a Firefighter; how trauma is heavy and can easily accumulate before you realise it.

Chucky is incredibly open, genuine and kind in sharing some of his battles with mental health along his journey, as well as when he knew it was time to seek help after he returned from his last deployment. He talks about how he believes sharing the fact he's in therapy has been helpful to some of his colleagues, trying to remove some of that stigma surrounding it and how the loss of his cousin, more like a brother, to suicide impacted him.

This was a wonderful and authentic conversation with a First Responder who is truly cognizant, aware and understands the psychological demands of the job. He leads by example in working on and maintaining his own mental health, in the hopes others, especially men, will see that it's the way it should be, instead of the cultural stigma that's been attached to receiving any kind of help, for so long.

It was an absolute pleasure to speak with Chucky and we both hope you enjoy listening to this episode! 

Please feel free to reach out if you'd like a topic discussed, would like to be a guest or are interested in receiving coaching services from Erin Jane.

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