Episode #15 - Breaking the Silence: Mental Health in First Responders with Mark Thomas

In this episode of the DanSun Health podcast, Daniel Sundahl speaks with Mark Thomas, a Sergeant with Victoria Police in Australia and founder of the Code9 Foundation, about mental health, wellbeing, and the importance of support for first responders. Mark shares his personal journey through PTSD, the creation of the Code9 Foundation, and the significance of mental health literacy. They discuss the nine steps of wellness, self-care strategies, and the critical need for support systems for families of first responders. Mark emphasizes the importance of recognizing symptoms of mental health issues and encourages open conversations about mental health in the first responder community.Takeaways• Mark Thomas shares his journey from police officer to mental health advocate.• The importance of recognizing symptoms of PTSD in first responders.• Code9 Foundation was created to support police officers and first responders.• Mental health literacy is crucial for understanding one's own mental health.• Support for families of first responders is essential for recovery.• The nine steps of wellness promote a holistic approach to overall wellbeing, encompassing both mental and physical health.• Self-care practices can significantly improve mental health outcomes.• Building a support network is vital for those in high-stress professions.• Understanding the connection between physical and mental health is key.• It's important to shed the identity of being a first responder to maintain personal wellbeing.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Mental Health and Wellbeing01:31 Mark's Journey in Policing and Mental Health05:04 Understanding PTSD and Recovery10:08 The Birth of Code9 Foundation18:56 Support for Families and Community Impact34:09 The Importance of Support Systems37:22 Wellness and Lifestyle Medicine45:38 Self-Care and Mental Health Awareness55:47 Advice for Aspiring Officers01:00:15 Breaking the Stigma of Mental HealthLinks:www.code9ptsd.org.auhttps://code9ptsd.org.au/code-9-ptsd-kids-book-first-responderswww.facebook.com/code9ptsdwww.instagram.com/code9ptsd www.markthomas.com.auwww.facebook.com/sgtmarkthomaswww.instagram.com/sgtmarkthomasOutlive Book by Peter Attia, MD https://a.co/d/0Ox5lmD