First Responders’ Mental Health

Show Highlights A sit-down conversation with Sean McMahon – First Responder and Military Veteran Early career and coping with medical issues/ early PTS Finding “rock bottom” and revival Sobriety and spirituality “The Mountain” experience and personal spiritual awakening. Biography I am Sean McMahon. I am a Christian, husband, and father. I have been married to the love of my life, Amanda, for twelve years and have a beautiful son together, Easton, who is seven. I began my career in public service by enlisting in the United States Marine Corps as a CBRNE (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, Explosive) Defense Specialist in 2007, following two years of college. I then pursued a career in public safety after being influenced by the passing of my father at a young age. I worked for fire departments, EMS agencies and eventually found my calling in law enforcement in 2013. I have worked in patrol and the last 10 years in the department’s Tactical Medic Unit. After nearly 20 years of service, I have suffered my fair share of scars and trauma and been touched by substance abuse and PTS. Both from my career and medical episodes. My experiences have allowed me the ability to train my physical, mental, and spiritual resilience in order to become a stronger Christian, husband, father, man, and police officer. It is my belief that every first responder requires access to wellness and mental health outlets in order to optimize performance in the field and to the public. My goal is to de-stigmatize the conversations regarding mental health and substance abuse in public safety in order for more heroes to come forward, admit their need for assistance, without fear of judgment or retribution, and receive treatment to maintain their own individual standards and oath taken to serve.