RESIDUAL: Cumulative Stress and PTSD in First Responders

Denny Robinson - Golf is Life

Denny Robinson, a fire apparatus operator for the Kansas City, Kansas Fire Department, loves to play golf and compares the challenges of the game to challenges faced in life. https://FirstResponderGolf.org

Christina Defenbaugh - Special Role of a Spouse

Christina Defenbaugh is the wife of a former police officer and co-founder of the 10-42 Project in Indianola, Iowa. Christina explains the special and important role a spouse plays when living with a first responder dealing with symptoms of PTSD. https://10-42Project.org

Olivia Mead - Mindfulness

Olivia Mead, founder of Yoga For First Responders, discusses how practicing mindfulness can help keep your mind, body and emotions aligned to battle symptoms of PTSD.

https://YogaForFirstResponders.org

Bobby Waidler - Superhero Mentality

Sgt. Bobby Waidler is the Coordinator of Resiliency Programs at the Denver Police Department. Bobby discusses how officers sometimes develop a superhero or warrior mentality to deal with stress on the job as well as handle the dual roles of being a police officer and a human being.

Michelle Kaye - Reach Out For Help

Michelle Kaye, owner of Operation Equine in Denver, explains why people should not isolate themselves when dealing with symptoms of PTS, and instead reach out for help from friends and family.

https://OperationEquine.org

Dr. Debra Tasci - What Makes Trauma?

Dr. Debra Tasci, Psy.D. is a board-certified police and public safety psychologist working for Nicoletti-Flater Associates in Denver. Dr. Tasci discusses two events that create traumatic experiences for first responders: being trapped; and being exiled from your tribe. https://Nicoletti-Flater.com

Billy Cinkay - Tombstone Courage

Billy Cinkay, a former Sergeant with the North Riverside Police Department, details how a first responder denying symptoms of PTS and not seeking help is the same as Tombstone Courage. Billy now helps former first responders at Haven Health Management in West Palm Beach, Florida. https://HavenDetoxNow.com

Sheila Russell - Stigmas

Sheila Russell, LISW, owner of Front Line Therapy, LLC in Des Moines, talks about the stigmas faced by many first responders that prevent them from seeking treatment for PTS.

https://FrontLineTherapyServices.com

Amanda Brumbaugh - Challenges of a Spouse

Amanda Brumbaugh, Assistant Director of First Responder Conferences and wife of a police officer, discusses the challenges faced by a first responder wife. https://1stRC.org

Michael Delaney - Make Mental Health a Priority

Michael Delaney, a retired police officer from Kansas City, Missouri, talks about making mental health a priority, just like physical fitness.

Alison Fienning - Communication With Your Spouse

Alison Fienning is a Licensed Social Worker, a professional speaker and owner of Pinpoint Behavioral Health Solutions. In this segment, Alison discusses the options of a first responder communicating with their spouse, from telling them everything to telling them nothing at all. https://PinpointBHS.com

Skylar Limkemann - Volunteer Firefighters

Skylar Limkemann is a volunteer Fire Captain and EMT with the Tiffin, Iowa Fire Association, a political consultant and a senior attorney in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. In this segment, Skylar discusses the commitment required to be a volunteer firefighter and the price they all pay to serve their community.

Krista Fee - Career Longevity

Krista Fee, MA, is a former ER nurse and police investigator who now works as a mental health specialist and owner of Battle 2 Be, a non-profit assisting first responders. Krista explains why it is so difficult to have a long career as a first responder. https://Battle2Be.org

Keith Hanks - Symptoms and Unhealthy Coping

Keith Hanks is a retired firefighter and EMT who has battled PTS for years. In this segment, Keith talks about his most common symptoms and the many unhealthy coping mechanisms he tried to cover these symptoms. Having his PTS now under control, Keith travels the country speaking to and helping first responder groups.

Therapy Dogs

Therapy dogs have been proven to help lower blood pressure, manage stress, and reduce depression, all important factors in controlling PTSD. Organizations featured in this segment include: First Responder Therapy Dogs, https://FirstResponderTherapyDogs.org and The Guardian Project, https://GuardianTrainingInstitute.org

Faith and Spirituality

Faith and Spirituality can be a legitimate treatment for PTS. This segment features numerous testimonials from former first responders.

Physical Activity

Physical activity and exercise help balance chemicals in the brain to reduce depression, reduce anxiety and minimize the effects of PTS. Studies have shown that exercise can be just as effective as an antidepressant.

Integral Breathwork

Integral Breathwork is one of the most powerful and gentle ways to heal trauma. Circular breathing allows the patient to subconsciously relax and process repressed traumatic memories. For more information, please go to https://FHEHealth.com

Golf Therapy

Golfing is an excellent way to take your mind off the stress and trauma encountered on the job. First Responder Golf Foundation provides an outlet for first responders to cope with mental health issues through the game of golf. For more information on this fun organization or to donate, go to https://FirstResponderGolf.org

Neuro-Stimulation

Neuro-Stimulation involves different kinds of energy being introduced to the brain. This surges the glia while stimulating the mitochondria to release chemicals that re-balance affected parts of the brain, resulting in reduced inflammation, increased blood flow, less anxiety, reduced depression, and reduced sleep disorders. For more information, please go to https://FHEHealth.com

Yoga and Mindfulness

Yoga is an ancient practice that uses physical, mental and spiritual disciplines to control and still the mind. Yoga and Mindfulness have been shown to help first responders dealing with PTSD balance their mind and nervous system and stay aligned with their body.

This RESIDUAL segment features Olivia Mead, founder and CEO of Yoga For First Responders. Learn more about this organization at https://YogaForFirstResponders.org

Multi-Watt Infrared Light Therapy

Multi-Watt Infrared Light Therapy uses an infrared laser to penetrate deep inside the skull. The brain's mitochondria absorb this light and causes a number of reactions: 1) it generates ATP which creates more energy for the brain; 2) it increases nitric oxide to improve blood flow; 3) the mitochondria turn on anti-inflammatory chemicals; and 4) it ignites BDNF, the growth factor that repairs the brain. This allows the brain to actually repair itself and heal from PTS. For more information on this treatment, please go to https://Neuro-Luminance.com

EMDR

EMDR is strongly recommended for the treatment of PTSD. EMDR processing uses rapid sets of eye movements to help the patient update disturbing experiences and process traumatic memories. Organizations featured in this segment are https://FrontlineTherapyServices.com based in West Des Moines, Iowa, and https://FHEHealth.com based in Deerfield Beach, Florida.

Low-Dose Ketamine

While still considered an experimental treatment for depression and PTSD, Ketamine has been approved by the FDA as a safe anesthetic since 1970. Recent studies have shown that when administered through an IV drip in low doses, ketamine delivers a remarkable antidepressant effect and can reduce suicidal thoughts. Ketamine may also stimulate BDNF in the brain which drives neuro-plasticity and brain repair. For more information on ketamine, go to https://neuro-luminance.com or https://FHEHealth.com

Equine Therapy

Equine Therapy is a tremendous resource for first responders dealing with symptoms of PTSD. Horses help individuals regulate their nervous system, teaches them how to focus on remaining calm, and forces first responders to remain present in the moment.

Organizations offering equine therapy and featured in this segment include https://OperationEquine.org based in Denver, Colorado, and https://SouthernStridesEquine.com based in Cocoa, Florida.

Art Therapy

A unique way to treat PTS is through Art Therapy. Even if you don't think of yourself as an "artist," you can still express your feelings on canvas and explore how color, shape and design can bring out hidden emotions and help heal trauma.

Surfing Therapy

The ocean provides a therapeutic calm that allows first responders to develop a spiritual connection with the water. This is especially beneficial to those dealing with the symptoms of PTSD. Ron Sanderson is the founder and director of SWEL, a non-profit organization that takes first responders on surfing retreats. Learn more about this organization at https://TheSWEL.org

Stellate Ganglion Block

An introduction to the Stellate Ganglion Block, SGB, Dual-Sympathetic Reset Treatment for PTSD. Featuring Dr. Eugene Lipov, Stella Chief Medical Director and Shauna "Doc" Springer, Ph.D., Stella Chief Psychologist. For more information on SGB, please go to https://StellaCenter.com

Fascial Counterstrain

This segment introduces Fascial Counterstrain as an option to treat PTS symptoms. Counterstrain involves a hands-on treatment of a patient to release tension and drain inflammation caused by traumatic events. This increases blood flow to the affected areas and restores functionality. For more information on this technique, contact https://BridgeBack.org

Singing Bowls

Singing bowls can help first responders focus and take back control of their mental and emotional states. Ann Martin, a Therapeutic Sound Practitioner, explains how the frequency and vibration of the bowls can reactivate your parasympathetic nervous system and restore calm to your body and soul. https://MileHighHealingVibe.com

RESIDUAL Trailers

RESIDUAL 2-Minute Trailer

RESIDUAL is a documentary film focusing on how cumulative trauma and PTSD are dramatically affecting our nation's law enforcement officers, firefighters and EMS personnel. This 2-minute trailer highlights a few of the many problems brought on by PTSD.

RESIDUAL Extended Trailer

This 10-minute extended trailer introduces some of the participants who were interviewed for the film and provides a preview of the topics that are covered in the documentary.

Contact Information

Repeated exposure to trauma, life-threatening situations and the physical strain of working long hours on little sleep, has been shown to negatively impact the mental health of first responders.

Help the real-life heroes who put their lives on the line every day to protect our homes, guarantee our safety and quickly respond to fires, natural disasters, crimes, accidents and other traumatic events. Become a part of our team and help us make RESIDUAL a valuable resource available to all first responders and their families.

To assist in distributing this important project, please contact:

Doug Hanes, Executive Producer

Transtar Entertainment Company, Inc.

P.O. Box 440123

Aurora, Colorado 80044

303-489-1450

Doug@TranstarFilm.com

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