A Badge of Honor
Healing Our First Responders
Wellness & Resiliency

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According to studies cited by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), between seven percent and 19 percent of police officers experience symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, compared to 3.5 percent of the general population. And 75% to 90% of all doctor's office visits are for stress-related ailments and complaints. Do you struggle with any of these things?

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• Headaches

• High blood pressure

• Heart problems

• Diabetes

• Skin conditions

• Asthma

• Arthritis

• Depression

• Anxiety

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Then there is a chance that stress is the cause.

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If you try to ignore it, stress can compound and lead to catastrophic results. An Associated Press analysis of government CDC records indicates that American suicides are now at their highest point in 50 years. It's now the second-leading cause of death for Americans under the age of 35. Whether the stress you are experiencing is from Post-Traumatic Stress or from the general feeling of overwhelm, you deserve a life free from stress and a life full of confidence and freedom.

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As 9/11 first responders and Law Enforcement Officers we’ve been there. Post-Traumatic Stress robbed us of what should have been some of the best years of our lives. We believed that no one could understand us. We thought we could figure it by ourselves. We isolated ourselves from everyone, including our own families. We let the stress build up to a breaking point where it cost us our freedom. We felt trapped, convinced that no one could understand what we were going through. We were tied up in everything that came with Post Traumatic Stress. We thought the only way out was to take our lives. We suffered suicidal ideations. And then we had a breakthrough.

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It takes the same amount of courage to ask for help as it takes to run into a burning building or take a bullet. We knew how to do the two former things from our training. We realized that we had to make the choice to be courageous enough to ask for help when we found ourselves feeling anxious and stressed. We discovered that there were strategies that helped us feel less stressed and decided we needed to put it all in a workshop to help our fellow service men & women. We call A Badge of Honor: Healing Our Heroes. Attending our workshops will help you:

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• Feel more in control.

• Experience less stress.

• Be happier.

• Be more confident.

• Build more resilience.

• Communicate more effectively.

• Feel "connected" again.

 

It starts with a choice. The choice to be your own advocate and start making the changes you need to in order to get back to being “You.” The best you. The you that you were before all this stress started in your life.

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By attending our Workshop, you’ll learn strategies that will help you prevent the stress and burnout that’s been plaguing you. We’ve been there and because of that we can deliver tried and true tactics which you will be able to put into practice immediately. There’s nothing to figure out, all the work has been done for you.

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Our Workshop was created for first responders who experience stress on a daily basis, either from a pre-existing condition like PTS(D) (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), or from being in / working in a demanding environment in which stress causes feelings of overwhelm, exhaustion, and / or burnout.

 

Sam Horwitz is a 9/11 first responder. She was front and center during the worst attack on U.S. soil. She was in World Trade Center’s Tower 1 when American Airlines flight 11 struck it. And the weeks, months and years later she suffered from the most debilitating stress which plagues many in the first responder community – Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. She received therapy and learned many things both on and off the couch. It’s the things she learned off the couch which have given her the ability to combat stress daily and made her an expert in stress management. That’s what she’s bringing to you in A Badge of Honor: Healing Our Heroes Workshop. Her story has been featured in People magazine, FOX, ABC, CBS, and in other local and national media. Her book, The Silent Fall: A Secret Service Agent’s Story of Tragedy and Triumph After 9/11 has been guide for many suffering from PTS(D). Sam serves on the board of Heroes on the Water, and is the co-host of A Badge of Honor Podcast. Her service and work has been recognized by the Texas House of Representatives and the Texas Senate.

 

John Salerno is a 9/11 first responder, a retired NYPD Detective turned Comedian (aka- The Comedy Cop) and the host of A Badge of Honor Podcast. Growing up in Long Island, John has spent most of his life as a first responder working as a fire fighter/EMT and retiring from the NYPD as a Detective. Working the rough streets of Brooklyn, John has seen his fair share of how bad things can get. But he has also seen and recognized the good. Since he was suffering from PTSD, he decided not to allow his condition to stop him from making a difference in others’ lives. John is dedicated to bringing awareness to the suicide epidemic plaguing our first responder community. John is the recipient of the New York City Medal of Valor.

 

Police Officer Jeff Freeman was selected as the 2007 Officer of the Year in Rowlett, TX. He has been a police officer with the department since August 1999 and has worked in law enforcement for more than 20 years. Jeff has received 19 commendations and seven letters of appreciation during his tenure with the department. He was recognized as the 2002 Officer of the Year and in 2018 he was recognized as the School Resource Officer of the Year. Freeman holds an Advanced Peace Officer Certification. His special duties include crime scene, FTO training, and instructing. Jeff was formally diagnosed with PTSD in 2007. Since that time, he has been instrumental in creating a new protocol for police officers in his department who request assistance because of stress. He has also developed and instructed in-house training classes including mandated and specialized training. The classes have been made available and taught to outside departments and other personnel as well.

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John Edmonson, LPC-S. As the Director of Wellness at Healing Springs Ranch, John integrates preventative medicine, Mindfulness, and experiential therapy with the Healing Springs Ranch holistic integrated model. He’s the CEO of Life Works Foundation empowering clients, communities, and businesses reach their full potential. He’s a guest expert on Fox Radio, ESPN Radio, and local TV stations on Mindfulness, Health, Wellness, and Recovery. He’s presents for first responders, school districts, on Tactical Mindfulness, resiliency, stress reduction, and communication.

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So now it’s your time to get back in the game called “your life” and enjoy the freedom you will experience with absolute control over your stress. Reach out to us today and bring A Badge of Honor: Healing Our Heroes Workshop to your department today!
 

CLICK HERE to find a workshop near you or Contact us now to come to your department. TCOLE credits available. 

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In partnership with Law Enforcement Mental Health Alliance of North TX (LEMHA). Breakfast lunch, and materials provided.

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The workshop is open to all active first responders, fire, EMS, law enforcement, dispatch, investigators and forensics.

 

Registration and purchased required.

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