The Tim Heale Podcasts S3 E126 Keith Harrison
Welcome to Tier Response, my name is Keith Harrison.
In 2018 I made a decision to put myself first. I am a police officer and have served for 16 years in a major city department. I was struggling, I was in pain, I was exhausted and I knew I needed time away from the job. I did not know the extent of my mental health battle till I was able to access the help. I can recall sitting in tears once I made the decision to take time away from work and there were many days prior to my decision that I almost lost my will to fight. I felt that the world and the people closest to me would be better off if I was not here. I needed all the noise, horror, and pain to stop so I could be at peace.
Since 2018 I have committed to this fight where some days I almost lost. With the support of my children, doctors, wellness team and close friends old and new they helped me realise I have an abundance and I am blessed.
Keith 2.0 - Always a work in progress
As I continue to evolve, I am choosing to recover loudly in hopes it will keep others from suffering and dying quietly. I strive to be the peer-support person to others that I did not have. I want to recognize the people and services that helped and inspired me to achieve my traumatic growth. I would like First Responders and Military members to know if we put effort into our well-being before and after trauma, we can thrive. We need to listen to our bodies and our self-talk so we are not so quick to categorize, diminish or box our problems. Proper rest, reflection and pause is okay so we can forge on in a healthy state.
I am committed to this new journey as I align myself with new friends, organizations and services. Thus making mental health conversations a new normal, which everyone can get behind. If we continue to stay silent we only strengthen the stigmas. I am proud to be able to provide a portion of proceeds to support Wounded Warriors Canada. Tier Response is designed to inspire others to proudly wear our apparel knowing that its mission and cause is dedicated to supporting mental health.
Let’s finally put First Responders 1st.
Remember when you're in a Tier you are never alone.
