Smashing the Stigma: Michael Sugrue's Journey to Mental Health Advocacy

Episode Number: 19 Publish Date: Sept 12, 2023 Host: Arjuna George Guest: Michael Sugrue Brief Description: 📚 Join us as we sit down with Michael Sugrue, a retired law enforcement officer turned mental health advocate. In this insightful interview, Michael shares his personal story of resilience, vulnerability, and breaking the stigma surrounding mental health in first responders. Discover how open conversations and seeking support can change lives. Don't miss this powerful conversation on healing and growth. #MentalHealthAwareness #Resilience #Inspiration Recommendations: 📖 Book - Burnt Around the Edges – A Guide to Mastering Stress and Surviving Burnout - Arjuna George (Available on Amazon, Apple and Google Books) 📖 Relentless Courage: Winning the Battle Against Frontline Trauma - Michael Sugrue Buy it now 📺 The Stigma of Help - Bio Michael Sugrue Michael Sugrue began his law enforcement career in the United States Air Force as a Security Forces Officer in 1998. As a Security Forces Officer, Michael specialized in Law Enforcement, Global Force Protection, Anti-Terrorism, Nuclear Security, Foreign Air Field Assessments and Air Base Ground Defense. Michael served in a variety of assignments, including Flight Leader, Flight Commander, Senior Watch Officer, Chief of Command Post and Chief of Security Forces. Michael served all over the United States, Europe, the Middle East and South America. He was also a Security Forces Phoenix Raven with the unique identifier #1173. Michael honourably separated from the Air Force as a Captain in 2004. Immediately after the Air Force, Michael was hired by the Walnut Creek Police Department, where he served in a variety of assignments including Patrol Officer, Driver Training Instructor (EVOC), Field Training Officer (FTO), SIU Detective, Undercover CA DOJ Narcotic Task Force Agent (Contra Costa County), Public Information Officer (PIO) and Patrol Sergeant. Michael was awarded the Walnut Creek PD Distinguished Service Medal in 2014 for his heroic and life saving actions during a Fatal Officer Involved Shooting in 2012. Michael ultimately medically retired in 2018. He is now a Peer Volunteer at the West Coast Post Trauma Retreat (WCPR) and an Ambassador for Save A Warrior (SAW). Michael is a dedicated advocate for awareness, prevention, education, training on Post Traumatic Stress Injury (PTSI) and First Responder Suicide Prevention. Michael continues to speak at law enforcement agencies all over the United States. In his International #1 BEST-SELLING book, RELENTLESS COURAGE: Winning the Battle Against Frontline Trauma, along with Dr. Shauna Springer, PhD, they tackle the complexity of trauma within the law enforcement community, uncovering the unspoken barriers, and outline a path to healing. RELENTLESS COURAGE was released in Spring 2022 and has been described by Lt. Col. David Grossman, best-selling author of On Killing and On Combat as “one of the most important books of our time” and “the natural successor to On Combat.” Connect with Michael Sugrue Linkedin Connect with the Host: 🎙️Arjuna George – Fire Chief (ret) Owner of Silver Arrow Coaching and Consulting, Beneath the Helmet Show, and Burnt Around the Edges author. www.silverarrowco.comwww.burntaroundtheedges.comwww.beneaththehelmet.ca Support the Show: 🔥Want to show your appreciation for Beneath the Helmet Show? Buy us a coffee. Your support enables us to keep producing content that makes a difference in the lives of our firefighters. Subscribe to Beneath The Helmet Show: 📩Join the BTH Community: 🎧Apple Podcasts: 🎧Spotify Podcasts: 📺 Youtube: 🎧All other podcast platforms 🔥Show Sponsored by Silver Arrow Coaching and Consulting - Burnout and Resilience Coaching for High Performers. Visit www.silverarrowco.com to learn more or to book a complimentary meet and greet. Don't just live life; thrive!