You May Love the Job, But the Job Doesn’t Love You | Sgt. Mark DiBona

In this powerful episode of The Blue Line Voice: Blood, Sand & Smoke Podcast, retired Sgt. Mark DiBona joins the show for a raw, honest, and necessary conversation about law enforcement, trauma, suicide prevention, leadership, family, and survival.Mark served 33 years in law enforcement, beginning in Massachusetts before continuing his career in Florida with the Avon Park Police Department and the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office. During his career, he served as a patrol sergeant, field training officer, street crimes deputy, DUI unit member, peer support member, critical incident stress management team member, public information officer, and police academy instructor.But this conversation is not just about the resume.Mark opens up about the calls that never leave, the trauma that builds over time, the damage caused by toxic leadership, the pressure first responders carry in silence, and the night he nearly took his own life. He also speaks with brutal honesty about PTSD, depression, anxiety, childhood trauma, alcohol, marriage, recovery, faith, and the hard truth that too many cops, firefighters, medics, dispatchers, veterans, and first responders are still afraid to ask for help.Today, Mark is the co-founder and president of Protecting The Guardian, an organization dedicated to first responder suicide prevention, mental health education, wellness, resilience, and leadership training. Through his story, Mark is helping break the stigma and reminding first responders that struggling does not make you weak — it makes you human.This episode is for every first responder carrying something they have never said out loud. It is also for spouses, families, partners, supervisors, chiefs, sheriffs, and agency leaders who need to understand what this job can do to the people behind the badge.You are not alone. Help exists. And getting help may be the strongest thing you ever do.Protecting The Guardian:https://protectingtheguardian.com/Resources:https://protectingtheguardian.com/resourcesFacebook:https://www.facebook.com/protectingtheguardianContent warning: This episode discusses suicide, suicide attempts, trauma, PTSD, childhood sexual abuse, alcohol abuse, and first responder mental health.If you are in crisis, call or text 988 in the U.S. For veterans, dial 988 and press 1.