This week, Chief Neil Dubord is joined by  Kyle Stubbs, who is a member of the RCMP and was formerly in the Surrey Detachment. In this episode, Chief Dubord speaks with Kyle about how his life took a sudden shift in 2018 with his premature daughter's birth. Kyle openly shares how his entire family was affected by this and especially the impact that the vulnerable health condition of his baby girl had on him as a father, a husband, and a cop. Kyle shares how he struggled to find the support he needed but, fortunately, ran into a therapeutic group that changed his life forever. This transformation brought along a new purpose to him: Nine8, a Health and Wellness Training Program for first responders Kyle created.   Key Takeaways: [1:13] Kyle introduces himself. [1:51] How did the frequent moving affect Kyle and his family? [2:38] Kyle takes us back to 2018, when his younger daughter was born. [5:25] Kyle talks about the delivery of her premature baby girl. [7:31] Kyle ignored how this situation would impact his entire family.  [8:42] They had to fly back to the Children’s Hospital soon after arriving home. [10:21] Kyle was told by the doctors her baby, Matilda, was going to go through surgery and that there was a possibility that she wouldn’t survive it. [11:11] Matilda fully recovered; today she is a typical 5-year-old! [11:33] Kyle talks about the pressure he placed on himself for not going to work during that period when Matilda was recovering. [13:30] How did Kyle deal with the stress? [14:34] Kyle became numb and disconnected from his family. [15:14] Kyle tried therapy without luck, but he found a group that gave him the support he needed. [16:50] Kyle’s least favorite word: Should. [19:56] How did Kyle find the therapeutic group? How long did it take him to find it? [22:14] By assisting the group, Kyle realized he was not alone. [23:04] Kyle began a journey that provided even more meaning to his life and self-discovery. [25:16] Kyle created Nine8, a 10-week program for first responders. [26:18] Kyle shares some interesting statistics about under and over-40-year-old men and their meaningful connections. [28:36] You are not alone. [30:18] Chief Dubord highlights some of the most essential messages brought by Kyle to today’s episode.   Mentioned in this Episode: Find more about Kyle Stubbs   Looking for More Episodes? You can find more episodes of Bend Don’t Break on iTunes, Google Play, and most other major podcasting platforms.   Connect with the Delta Police Department: Follow the Delta Police on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.  Visit their website at DeltaPolice.ca.    

This week, Chief Neil Dubord is joined by Jonny Morris, CEO of the British Columbia chapter of the Canadian Mental Health Association, to discuss the event that took place on January 23rd, 2023, when the Delta Police Department received a report of an individual who was outside the safety rail on the southbound side of the Alex Fraser Bridge. In this episode, Chief Dubord speaks with Jonny Morris, who reached out during the crisis faced on that bridge and extended his support through a long negotiation process that lasted 8 hours and also caused the closing of the bridge, which created discontent from the general population which was affected by this security measure. The overall decision to close the bridge was complex but guided by the belief in the importance of preserving life, which first responders and committed officers achieved, saving this man’s life and successfully assisting an individual with a mental health crisis.    Key Takeaways: [4:15] Jonny Morris, CEO of the British Columbia chapter of the Canadian Mental Health Association, joins Chief Dubord. [7:13] Jonny talks about his role and how he advocates for mental health. [9:44] Jonny shares the successes accomplished and the services the Canadian Mental Health Association gives. [13:35] Care to Speak and Care for Care Giver and their impact on stress management teams and first responders. [16:33] Jonny talks about building psychologically safe environments and their work on preventive care. [19:58] Jonny speaks of the Study in Blue and Gray, a report with many recommendations in cases of people confronting a mental health emergency.  [23:54] Jonny described the importance of creating a psychologically safe workplace.  [32:40] Why is it so difficult for mental fitness to be on the same footing as physical health? [39:08] Jonny expresses his gratitude.   Mentioned in this Episode: Canadian Mental Health Association Learn more about 13 Factors: Addressing Mental Health in the Workplace Anxiety Canada Call the crisis line:  3-10-6789   Looking for More Episodes? You can find more episodes of Bend Don’t Break on iTunes, Google Play, and most other major podcasting platforms.   Connect with the Delta Police Department: Follow the Delta Police on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Visit their website at DeltaPolice.ca.  

This week, Chief Neil Dubord is joined by Grayson Hawkings and Joel Thirsk from the Delta Police Department.   In this episode, Chief Dubord speaks with Grayson and Joel about their intervention in a case that had an unexpected turn and how they handled a complex and uncertain incident in the Ferry Terminal, displaying a magnificent team effort.  Both Grayson and Joel share the impact the process that followed the event had on them since they were not able to talk to anyone about the incident for many months. They also speak of the strategies and tools they used to keep their psychological strength and clarity.    Key Takeaways: [1:43] Grayson shares about himself [2:07] Joel talks about how he joined the Delta Police Department. [3:17] Reflection on a previous call involving Grayson and Joel. Four years ago, Joel and Grayson got a peculiar call about a child stuck in mud. [4:09] Introduction of crisis call. Radio clip of the police communicating during the incident at the ferry terminal. [7:50] Grayson talks about that call. [13:05] Grayson had to run after the man that was driving the taxi. [13:36] Joel shares what he knew about what was happening. [14:39] Grayson and Joel were at the moment working by themselves, each in a one-person unit. [14:55] Grayson explains the yelling in the radio clip. [16:33] Joel shares how he got to support Grayson. [18:30] Grayson finds out the man has a knife. [20:55]  Grayson talks about what happened after the man starts to harm himself.. [23:40] From de-escalation to applying first aid. [24:40] Grayson distances himself from the scene to catch his breath. [26:09] Joel shares the events after the man harmed himself and all the questions he had in his mind at the moment. [28:12] Grayson returned to the office, and anxiety started to kick in. [29:46] Grayson and Joel discuss the impact of being unable to speak with anyone about what happened. [32:08] Grayson shares how upsetting it was for his belt to be taken from him. [32:50] Joel did not sleep well after the event. [35:34] How was it like to get back to work?  [36:55] Grayson and Joel did not know how long the process would be. [37:50] They could speak to no one (not even the psychologist or teammates) [40:57] Joel and Grayson discuss their strategies to continue working and staying positive. [44:01] Months turned into years, what did Joel and Grayson do over that period of time? [45:54] Eighteen months later, they have to talk about the incident. How fresh was it in their minds? [47:42] There is a need to understand the process. [49:45] Social connections are crucially important inside and outside of the police. [51:42] Did they do anything to try to stop the event from repeating itself in their minds? [54:09] Would there have been any advantage if they were allowed to tell the story sooner?  [55:13] Joel grew up in a police family. [56:45] Chief Dubord summarizes the advice that Joel and Grayson provided.   Mentioned in this Episode: K9 Coffee Co.   Looking for More Episodes? You can find more episodes of Bend Don’t Break on iTunes, Google Play, and most other major podcasting platforms.   Connect with the Delta Police Department: Follow the Delta Police on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Visit their website at DeltaPolice.ca.

This week, Chief Neil Dubord is joined by Todd Mason from the Victoria Police Department. In this episode, Chief Dubord speaks with Todd about two tragic incidents that changed his career and affected him deeply, impacting his physical and mental health profoundly.    Todd boldly shares the struggles he endured being diagnosed with PTSD, major depression and anxiety and how he regained control of his life and has his PTSD in remission. Listen to Todd’s inspiring story of transformation, resilience, and perseverance.   Key Takeaways: [1:51] In September of 2021 Todd was a negotiator with the Victoria Police Department, he shares a critical incident he experienced on September 15th. [6:58] Todd took a week off after the shooting. [8:11] Todd talks about the events that happened on September 27th. [13:27] How fast did the car hit Todd? [13:50] Todd talks about the several injuries resulting from the incident. [15:23] How did Tom get to the hospital? [17:37] What happened after Todd got released from the hospital? [21:15] Todd talks about the impact this incident has on his psyche. [25:30] Medication helped Todd a lot. [25:55] Todd speaks of his wife’s unconditional support. [28:54] Todd confesses that he did not know what was happening to him at the time. [31:23] Todd heard about a program dedicated to helping people with PTSD. [34:09] Treatment at Ravensview felt like a full-time job to Todd. [35:04] Todd was out for three months, and he talks about what was different when he came back. [36:00] Depression is a daily battle. [36:43] What is the prognosis for Todd? [37:55] Was Which of the physical or mental injuries was the hardest to get over with? [39:12] What happened to the person that tried to run Todd down? [42:31] Todd shares some of the things that worked for him.   Mentioned in this Episode: Homewood Ravensview    Looking for More Episodes? You can find more episodes of Bend Don’t Break on iTunes, Google Play, and most other major podcasting platforms.   Connect with the Delta Police Department: Follow the Delta Police on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram and Chief Neil Dubord on Linkedin   Visit their website at DeltaPolice.ca.