EP109: Breaking the Stigma: Innovative Therapies for First Responders
Summary
In this conversation, Gary Roberts speaks with Christi Myers, CEO of Integrative Flow, about the mental health challenges faced by first responders and the innovative therapies being developed to address these issues. Christi shares her extensive background in emergency medicine and her journey towards integrating ketamine therapy as a standard of care for mental health. They discuss the impact of trauma on first responders, the stigma surrounding mental health treatment, and the importance of a holistic approach to healing. Christi emphasizes the need for cultural change within the profession and the potential for new treatments to improve the well-being of those who serve on the front lines.
Takeaways
- Christi Myers has 25 years of experience in emergency medicine.
- Ketamine is increasingly recognized as a standard of care for mental health.
- First responders face unique mental health challenges due to constant exposure to trauma.
- There is a need to break the stigma surrounding mental health treatments in first responders.
- Holistic approaches can significantly improve mental health outcomes.
- The conversation around drug use in first responders needs to be broadened.
- Compassion fatigue is a common issue among first responders.
- Ketamine therapy can help restore balance in the nervous system.
- Future advancements in mental health treatment include psychedelics and other innovative therapies.
- Education and awareness are crucial for changing perceptions about mental health in the workplace.
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Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Mental Health Innovations
05:59 The Impact of Trauma on First Responders
11:49 Building Flow Integrative: A New Approach
18:05 The Holistic Approach to Mental Health
23:56 The Need for Change in First Responder Culture
30:08 Partnerships and Collaborations for Change
How to Get Involved:
Gary Roberts, founder of the PIR Center of Excellence, has established a state-of-the-art medical center in Costa Rica dedicated to revolutionizing the treatment of mental health, addiction, and neurological disorders through cutting-edge therapies, research, and education. In addition to his work at the PIR Center, Gary founded the nonprofit Promises Recovery, Inc., inspired by his late daughter Lauren, who tragically passed away from an opiate overdose on her 27th birthday. Lauren’s vision was to help those suffering from addiction and mental health issues who were trapped in the frustrating cycle of insurance limitations, and Gary continues her mission through this nonprofit.
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