Episode 38: Mike Morgan - 30 Year Police Veteran, Mental Health & Plant-Based Medicine Advocate

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, trauma informed and certified Life and Wellness Coach for First Responders, Emergency Services Members, Spouses and Loved Ones.

In this episode, Erin speaks with Mike Morgan, a Law Enforcement Veteran with 30 years experience across two departments, a mental health advocate for the First Responder community and a proponent for the healing benefits of plant-based medicines, in particular, Ayahuasca.

Mike talks to Erin about the first ten years of his policing career, spent with Atlanta PD and how extreme that experience was, attending multiple murder scenes in just his first shift. He left to return closer to his roots in New York, spending the next 20 years with the Suffolk County PD. Although a very different style and level of policing, it did not leave him unscathed psychologically by any means.

Mike shares about mounting stress, that led to an opioid addiction, which he thankfully overcame after a stint in a rehab facility. He also tells Erin about one of the toughest calls of his career, a job to attend a 2yo little girl, found floating unresponsive in a backyard pool. In his vivid description, Mike shares about having to perform CPR with another colleague, how grateful the parents were that they were able to revive their daughter, despite suffering a hypoxic brain injury and how his guilt made him feel so conflicted for being nominated for an award as a result of this job.

After suffering an OTJ injury in September 2020 and undergoing surgery, Mike retired in October 2022. Having such an extensive career as a First Responder, Mike had learnt to bury anything that brought up difficult emotions, but in his retirement, soon realised these kinds of things don't stay buried. After watching a podcast where former Navy SEAL Eddie Penney was openly emotional about some of his experiences, Mike felt some part of him crack wide open, experiencing flashbacks from his career and understanding he needed some help.

Not feeling like traditional medicine was the right path for him, he turned to plant-based medicine and found healing through Ayahuasca. This also led to Mike finding his new mission; to be an advocate for the mental health and wellness of First Responder and Veterans, in particular, healing through plant-based medicines, especially after his own experiences and success. One such organisation who has the same mission and Mike is a supporter of, is No Fallen Heroes Foundation; https://nofallenheroesfoundation.org/

It was so lovely to speak with Mike and learn about Ayahuasca! You can follow him on Instagram at: @theresilientwarrior5778. We both hope you enjoy listening to this episode!

(Since we recorded this episode, Mike's IG changed to the one listed above, so it's different to the one he mentioned during our conversation. He also reached out to the parents of Dana, the little girl they were able to rescue from the swimming pool. She is doing well, but her healthcare and assistance needs are expensive, so Mike has set up a GoFundMe page. Please consider donating: https://gofund.me/57bdafa5)

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

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