65 episodes

Bend Don’t Break is a podcast that tells the story of police officers who have overcome significant adversity in their personal and professional lives. Through the power of story, the listener will understand the depth of resilience and personal strength that exists in the men and women who protect our communities 24x7.

Bend Don't Break Delta Police Department

    • Government

Bend Don’t Break is a podcast that tells the story of police officers who have overcome significant adversity in their personal and professional lives. Through the power of story, the listener will understand the depth of resilience and personal strength that exists in the men and women who protect our communities 24x7.

    Overcoming Tragedy Through Mental Health Advocacy

    Overcoming Tragedy Through Mental Health Advocacy

    Watch the video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/dxpq4bkQeI0
     
    Summary
    Jodie Baulkham, a survivor of the loss of her police officer husband, shares her journey of overcoming grief and supporting another first responder with PTSD. She emphasizes the importance of personal growth, effective communication, and mental health awareness. Jody encourages listeners to reflect on their own lives, assess their feelings, and set goals for the future. She shares her story through her memoir and invites others to share their stories as well.
     
    Takeaways Personal growth and resilience are essential in overcoming grief and trauma. Effective communication and emotional intelligence are key in supporting relationships with those experiencing mental health challenges. Seeking help early and often, and being open about mental health, can save lives. Reflection and goal-setting are important for personal growth and motivation. Sharing stories and connecting with others can provide support and inspiration.
    Chapters 00:00 Overcoming Grief and Supporting First Responders
    29:14 The Power of Personal Growth and Resilience
    31:34 Effective Communication and Emotional Intelligence
    34:23 Seeking Help and Raising Mental Health Awareness
    39:41 Reflection and Goal-Setting for Personal Growth
    40:06 The Impact of Sharing Stories and Connecting with Others
     
    Guest Biography
    Jodie is a licensed teacher, professional coach and certified Leader Character practitioner who focuses on cultivating character, igniting passion, and fortifying resilience for herself and others. She is a leadership and mental health curriculum design specialist, trainer and advocate. Jodie has trained and coached thousands in the first responder community and beyond. She recently released her memoir Choosing My Tomorrow: Surviving Murder, Navigating Mental Health, and Harnessing the Power of Choice which reached best-seller status on Amazon. She lives in Alberta with her husband, daughter, and mini goldendoodle. 

    • 40 min
    • video
    Overcoming Tragedy Through Mental Health Advocacy

    Overcoming Tragedy Through Mental Health Advocacy

    Summary
    Jodie Baulkham, a survivor of the loss of her police officer husband, shares her journey of overcoming grief and supporting another first responder with PTSD. She emphasizes the importance of personal growth, effective communication, and mental health awareness. Jody encourages listeners to reflect on their own lives, assess their feelings, and set goals for the future. She shares her story through her memoir and invites others to share their stories as well.
     
    Takeaways Personal growth and resilience are essential in overcoming grief and trauma. Effective communication and emotional intelligence are key in supporting relationships with those experiencing mental health challenges. Seeking help early and often, and being open about mental health, can save lives. Reflection and goal-setting are important for personal growth and motivation. Sharing stories and connecting with others can provide support and inspiration.
    Chapters 00:00 Overcoming Grief and Supporting First Responders
    29:14 The Power of Personal Growth and Resilience
    31:34 Effective Communication and Emotional Intelligence
    34:23 Seeking Help and Raising Mental Health Awareness
    39:41 Reflection and Goal-Setting for Personal Growth
    40:06 The Impact of Sharing Stories and Connecting with Others
     
    Guest Biography
    Jodie is a licensed teacher, professional coach and certified Leader Character practitioner who focuses on cultivating character, igniting passion, and fortifying resilience for herself and others. She is a leadership and mental health curriculum design specialist, trainer and advocate. Jodie has trained and coached thousands in the first responder community and beyond. She recently released her memoir Choosing My Tomorrow: Surviving Murder, Navigating Mental Health, and Harnessing the Power of Choice which reached best-seller status on Amazon. She lives in Alberta with her husband, daughter, and mini goldendoodle. 

    • 40 min
    Breaking The Silence: Transforming Mental Health in Law Enforcement

    Breaking The Silence: Transforming Mental Health in Law Enforcement

    Watch the video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ojl-vQVxWrA
     
    Summary
    In this conversation, Mark Bouchard discusses the importance of addressing mental health and stigma within the police force. He shares his personal experience with psychological injury and emphasizes the need for proactive action and individual responsibility in maintaining mental health. Bouchard also highlights the concept of suicide by cop and the challenges faced by officers in making lethal force decisions. He calls for a shift in the understanding and treatment of officers involved in such incidents. In this conversation, the Delta Police Department discusses the importance of educating the public and themselves about the realities of police work. They also explore the psychological challenges faced by officers, including the decision to use lethal force and the impact of suicide by cop incidents. The conversation highlights the need for organizations to address mental health and wellness within their ranks, including providing resources and support for officers. The guests emphasize the importance of creating a culture that reduces stigma around mental health and encourages officers to seek help when needed.
     
     
    Takeaways Police officers need to be taught about their own psychology and humanity to better handle the challenges they face and keep the public safe. Individuals should take proactive action and be active participants in their own mental health. The stigma surrounding mental health in law enforcement needs to be reduced to encourage officers to seek help. Lethal force decisions are complex and officers need more training and support to navigate these situations. Society needs to differentiate between non-culpable homicides and murder in cases of suicide by cop. Educating the public and police officers about the realities of police work can lead to better outcomes in incidents and help officers process traumatic experiences. The decision to use lethal force is a difficult one for officers, but they can find solace in knowing they are keeping their community safe. Incident commanders and leaders need to be prepared to make critical decisions, and training in instant command and critical thinking is crucial. Addressing mental health and wellness within police organizations is essential, as officers face higher rates of mental health disorders and suicide. Creating a culture that reduces stigma around mental health and encourages officers to seek help is important for their well-being and the well-being of the organization. Officers can develop healthy coping strategies and find meaning in their experiences to promote post-traumatic growth and resilience.
    Chapters 00:00 Addressing Mental Health and Stigma
    11:41 Proactive Action and Individual Responsibility
    24:31 Reducing Stigma and Providing Support
    25:26 Educating the Public and Police Officers
    28:04 The Weight of the Decision: Using Lethal Force
    28:31 Preparing Incident Commanders
    29:24 Addressing Mental Health and Wellness
    35:38 Reducing Stigma and Encouraging Help-Seeking
    43:19 Finding Meaning and Promoting Resilience
     
    Guest Biography
    Mark Bouchard grew up in Delta, and joined the Delta Police Department as a police officer in 2007, after a few years as a volunteer in the Delta Police Reserve Program. Mark worked primarily in patrol and on the Emergency Response Team, prior to his departure in 2020 for the RCMP. Since then, Mark has continued to work patrol and Emergency Response, until his recent promotion into the RCMP'S National Tactical Medicine Program. He has also completed a master's degree in leadership with a focus on police culture and the impacts on police officer mental health. Mark has combined his experiences and research into a book that he published on Amazon in 2023. It is called Setting My Sights on Stigma: Thoughts From an Injured Mind, where he shares what he learned as he recovered from his PTSD diagnosis, with

    • 50 min
    • video
    Breaking The Silence: Transforming Mental Health in Law Enforcement

    Breaking The Silence: Transforming Mental Health in Law Enforcement

    Summary
    In this conversation, Mark Bouchard discusses the importance of addressing mental health and stigma within the police force. He shares his personal experience with psychological injury and emphasizes the need for proactive action and individual responsibility in maintaining mental health. Bouchard also highlights the concept of suicide by cop and the challenges faced by officers in making lethal force decisions. He calls for a shift in the understanding and treatment of officers involved in such incidents. In this conversation, the Delta Police Department discusses the importance of educating the public and themselves about the realities of police work. They also explore the psychological challenges faced by officers, including the decision to use lethal force and the impact of suicide by cop incidents. The conversation highlights the need for organizations to address mental health and wellness within their ranks, including providing resources and support for officers. The guests emphasize the importance of creating a culture that reduces stigma around mental health and encourages officers to seek help when needed.
     
     
    Takeaways Police officers need to be taught about their own psychology and humanity to better handle the challenges they face and keep the public safe. Individuals should take proactive action and be active participants in their own mental health. The stigma surrounding mental health in law enforcement needs to be reduced to encourage officers to seek help. Lethal force decisions are complex and officers need more training and support to navigate these situations. Society needs to differentiate between non-culpable homicides and murder in cases of suicide by cop. Educating the public and police officers about the realities of police work can lead to better outcomes in incidents and help officers process traumatic experiences. The decision to use lethal force is a difficult one for officers, but they can find solace in knowing they are keeping their community safe. Incident commanders and leaders need to be prepared to make critical decisions, and training in instant command and critical thinking is crucial. Addressing mental health and wellness within police organizations is essential, as officers face higher rates of mental health disorders and suicide. Creating a culture that reduces stigma around mental health and encourages officers to seek help is important for their well-being and the well-being of the organization. Officers can develop healthy coping strategies and find meaning in their experiences to promote post-traumatic growth and resilience.
    Chapters 00:00 Addressing Mental Health and Stigma
    11:41 Proactive Action and Individual Responsibility
    24:31 Reducing Stigma and Providing Support
    25:26 Educating the Public and Police Officers
    28:04 The Weight of the Decision: Using Lethal Force
    28:31 Preparing Incident Commanders
    29:24 Addressing Mental Health and Wellness
    35:38 Reducing Stigma and Encouraging Help-Seeking
    43:19 Finding Meaning and Promoting Resilience
     
    Guest Biography
    Mark Bouchard grew up in Delta, and joined the Delta Police Department as a police officer in 2007, after a few years as a volunteer in the Delta Police Reserve Program. Mark worked primarily in patrol and on the Emergency Response Team, prior to his departure in 2020 for the RCMP. Since then, Mark has continued to work patrol and Emergency Response, until his recent promotion into the RCMP'S National Tactical Medicine Program. He has also completed a master's degree in leadership with a focus on police culture and the impacts on police officer mental health. Mark has combined his experiences and research into a book that he published on Amazon in 2023. It is called Setting My Sights on Stigma: Thoughts From an Injured Mind, where he shares what he learned as he recovered from his PTSD diagnosis, with a goal to help other people.

    • 50 min
    Resilience and Strength: Navigating Through Grief

    Resilience and Strength: Navigating Through Grief

    Watch our video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/VWYOjcfSfb4
     
    Summary
    Constable Peggy MacConnell shares her experience of losing her husband in a tragic accident and how she coped with the grief and trauma. She emphasizes the importance of being your own advocate and doing what feels right for you. Peggy found support from the RCMP and her family, and she prioritized her physical fitness and mental well-being. She returned to work and embraced a routine to maintain a sense of normalcy. Peggy's resilience and positive outlook have helped her navigate through the challenges and continue to live a fulfilling life.
     
    Takeaways Be your own advocate and do what feels right for you Surround yourself with a strong support network Prioritize your physical fitness and mental well-being Embrace routine to maintain a sense of normalcy Maintain a positive outlook and take control of your own situation
     
    Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background
    08:13 The Organ Donation Process
    14:43 Support from Family and the RCMP
    26:13 Overcoming Judgment and Staying Resilient
    35:44 Returning to Work and Helping Others

    • 38 min
    • video
    Resilience and Strength: Navigating Through Grief

    Resilience and Strength: Navigating Through Grief

    Summary
    Constable Peggy MacConnell shares her experience of losing her husband in a tragic accident and how she coped with the grief and trauma. She emphasizes the importance of being your own advocate and doing what feels right for you. Peggy found support from the RCMP and her family, and she prioritized her physical fitness and mental well-being. She returned to work and embraced a routine to maintain a sense of normalcy. Peggy's resilience and positive outlook have helped her navigate through the challenges and continue to live a fulfilling life.
     
    Takeaways Be your own advocate and do what feels right for you Surround yourself with a strong support network Prioritize your physical fitness and mental well-being Embrace routine to maintain a sense of normalcy Maintain a positive outlook and take control of your own situation
     
    Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background
    08:13 The Organ Donation Process
    14:43 Support from Family and the RCMP
    26:13 Overcoming Judgment and Staying Resilient
    35:44 Returning to Work and Helping Others

    • 38 min

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