First Responders: Survival Mindset

Join Barry, Kristin, and their guest, Chris Scallon, as they talk about his career in law enforcement and why mental health challenges became a part of his journey.Sgt. (Retired) Christopher Scallon is the owner of Survival Mindset Training. Sgt. Scallon MPsy, CCISM, retired as a 24-plus-year veteran of the Norfolk Police Department, holds a Masters in Psychology, BS in Criminal Justice, and is certified in Critical Incident Stress Management from the University of Maryland BC Emergency Health Services. He is the current Director of Public Safety Support for Chateau Recovery and the First Responder Outreach Specialist for Evolution Way Recovery Centers. He connects first responders and veterans to mental health and/or substance abuse programs.Scallon was the founder and first director of the Norfolk Police Department’s Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) & Peer Support Unit and Crisis Intervention Team Co-Coordinator for the Norfolk Police Department. He is a peer and current board member of Virginia Law Enforcement Assistance Program , a certified peer with the West Coast Post Trauma Retreat/First Responder Support Network. Having been involved in multiple shootings, he is intimately familiar with trauma and the consequences of exposure. Scallon is an approved instructor for International Critical Incident Stress Foundation , teaching Basic and Advanced Assisting Individuals in Crisis and Group Crisis Intervention, a certified Mental Health First Aid Instructor (Adult/Veteran Modules) through the National Council for Behavioral Health and Iraq and Afghanistan Veteran’s Association (IAVA), founder of Survival Mindset Training and Consulting, and a Master Trainer for Homefront Protective Group teaching across the country and abroad. Scallon is currently a Training and Technical Assistance Consultant for the Office of Victims of Crimes. He is also on a team tasked with creating a nationally accepted CISM model with the International Association of Chiefs of Police. Previously, a Vicarious Trauma Fellow with IACP and Northeastern University working on a national grant from the U.S. Department of Justice–Office of Victims of Crimes, creating an evidence-based vicarious trauma toolkit for first responders.Scallon is a U.S. Navy Veteran and served as a line officer in the Port Washington, NY Fire Department, Atlantic Hook & Ladder, Light and Heavy Rescue. He was directly involved in multiple traumatic incidents within the aforementioned fire, military, and police agencies in addition to multiple deadly force encounters during his tenure as a police officer, both directly and indirectly. Scallon has first-hand experience with the primary, secondary, and tertiary effects of trauma related to personal and professional relationships.​He has received numerous awards to include the National Top Cop award, Virginia’s Public Safety Medal of Valor (presented by former Governor Tim Kaine), and the Norfolk Police Department’s Medal of Honor. He has received multiple certifications from the Nassau County Fire Service Academy in Long Island, New York.www.survivalmindsetconsulting.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/mental-health-news-radio--3082057/support.