Episode 11, Natalie Hearld

Most dispatchers and first responders grapple with the invisible wounds of trauma and burnout every day — but few know how deeply these experiences shape their lives outside of work. In this revealing episode, Natalie Harold, a seasoned dispatcher turned nurse and supervisor, shares her raw journey through the emotional toll of public service and the mental health challenges that often go unspoken. Discover what it really takes to handle life-or-death calls over the phone and how that work seeps into every aspect of personal relationships and mental wellbeing. Natalie opens up about her firsthand experiences with tragedy, including line-of-duty deaths, and how those moments ripple into her daily life, affecting her capacity to connect, relax, or find genuine joy. She candidly discusses the frustrations of systemic failures in mental health support, the stigma around seeking help, and the difficult culture shifts needed to prioritize responder wellness.#mentalhealthsupport #veteran #PTSD #22aDay #suicide prevention #firstresponder #firstrespondermentalhealth #ems #military #usarmy #combatmedic #firefighter #EMT #paramedic #trauma #nursing #therapy #therapist #socialworker #nurse #dispatch #IoniaCounty