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Feb. 13, 2025
Unpacking Firefighter Wellness: Why Are We Afraid?
Episode 74: Courageous Conversations with Keith Hanks – Healing, Resilience & Advocacy 🎙️🔥
In this powerful episode of Beneath the Helmet, I sit down with Keith Hanks, a former firefighter turned mental health advocate, to have a raw and honest conversation about trauma, healing, and resilience in the fire service.
Keith opens up about his personal struggles with PTSD, multiple suicide attempts, and the journey to reclaiming his life. We discuss the importance of speaking openly about mental health in the fire service, the impact of his new book Allen, and how we can shift the culture to better support our firefighters.
🚨 Key Takeaways:
✅ The dangers of silence around firefighter mental health
✅ The power of suicide prevention awareness and peer support
✅ How Keith’s book Allen sheds light on the hidden struggles behind the uniform
✅ Why self-leadership and self-care are crucial for longevity in the fire service
This episode is a must-listen for firefighters, first responders, and anyone passionate about breaking the stigma and building a stronger, healthier fire service.
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.com
www.burntaroundtheedges.com
www.beneaththehelmet.ca
Transcript
Unpacking Firefighter Wellness. Why Are Firefighters Afraid to Talk About Mental Health? Keith Hanks' Journey from Firefighter to Mental Health Advocate.
In this episode of Beneath the Helmet, host Arjuna George sits down with Keith Hanks, a former firefighter turned passionate mental health advocate. Keith shares his powerful journey through multiple suicide attempts and how he became a voice for mental health in the fire service. They discuss Keith's newly released book, 'Alan' the transformative process of writing and healing, and the essential need to openly discuss mental health and trauma. Keith also sheds light on how the documentary 'First Responder in Crisis' has impacted both first responders and the general public. Join the conversation on how we can create a healthier, more resilient fire service through education and open dialogue. This episode is a must-watch for anyone interested in mental wellness, resilience, and the evolving culture within emergency services.
#FirefighterMentalHealth #SuicidePreventionAwareness # ResilienceandHealing
🔗Check out Episodes #12 with Keith https://www.beneaththehelmet.ca/having-a-coach-is-part-of-your-mental-health-toolkit-with-keith-hanks/
🔗and episode #21 https://www.beneaththehelmet.ca/behind-the-scene-of-first-responders-in-crisis/
Check out his book: Allen: A Firefighter's Journey Through PTSD and Healing
Check out his article in Crackyl magazine on #Mindfulnes https://www.crackyl.com/mindfulness-how-can-it-help-the-fire-service/
and https://www.crackyl.com/wellness-wednesday-tactical-toolbox-for-the-healthy-responder/
Connect with Keith
khanksmz78@gmail.com
Coming soon... www.keithhanks.com
00:00 Introduction and Guest Overview
00:19 Keith Hanks' Mental Health Advocacy
02:12 Discussing the Documentary: First Responders in Crisis
02:55 The Impact of the Documentary
06:31 Keith's New Book: Alan
07:33 The Writing Process and Personal Growth
19:08 The Turning Point: Overcoming Suicide Attempts
22:42 Addressing Suicide in the Fire Service
24:59 Challenges and Changes in the Fire Service
28:12 Cancer and Suicide in Firefighters
29:15 Restructuring the Fire Service
30:06 Emphasizing Health and Wellness
32:02 Personal Reflections and Changes
36:12 Survival and Resilience
41:34 Target Audience and Men's Mental Health
47:12 Future Projects and Coaching
51:43 Final Thoughts and Closing Remarks
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📺Watch or Listen to all the episodes at www.beneaththehelmet.ca
📩 Email Host: arjuna@silverarrowco.com
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.com
www.burntaroundtheedges.com
www.beneaththehelmet.ca
Keith Hanks
Founder of Traumatic Strength, LLC
Keith Hanks is a retired firefighter and EMT and 21-year veteran of the fire service. He was a training officer, certified educator, and field training officer. He was diagnosed with Complex PTSI in 2015. He has since dedicated his life to advocating for mental illness, substance and alcohol abuse recovery, and suicide awareness. In March 2022, he completed the filming of his first feature length documentary focusing on PTSI in the first responder community. He is a national speaker, podcast personality, and published author.
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