Sign up to get updates from us
Keith shares about his journey of 21 years as a firefighter and EMT. We also dive into mental health, suicide attempts, loss among other trauma in general. He gives us a glimpse of his chapter that will be in the upcoming Scars to Stars Vol 3 and his experience of being part of the project. We also talk about mental health and suicidal ideation in general. We also agree on the fact that just talking about it and hearing others’ stories is healing. Keith talks a bit at the end about his own mission and all the things he has in the works! He will also be speaking at our membership event on August 13th, 2023.
Mentioned Resources:
Connect with Keith here! https://www.facebook.com/keith.hanks.5
About the Guest:
Keith Hanks is a retired Firefighter and EMT that dedicated 21 years of his life to the service of others. He serviced his community as a training officer, certified educator, and field training officer. Keith worked both inner-city EMS as well as fire. Like many in the first responder community the job has its cost. From childhood trauma and sexual abuse, traumatic calls, the traumatic passing of his first wife, Keith has faced many trials and tragedies that resulted in self-harm, substance abuse, lies and multiple suicide attempts. After decades of damage Keith began to put the pieces of his life back together.
Keith was diagnosed with Complex PTSI in 2015. The job, the service, his dedication caused this injury, and consequently his retirement. What PTSI didn’t change was the love and devotion to his community and to his fellow first responders. Keith has since dedicated his life to advocating for mental illness, substance and alcohol abuse recovery, and suicide awareness. Since starting this mission Keith built an international support group through Facebook for First Responders and Veterans for PTSI and other job-related mental health issues. Keith was asked to be a part of the Deconstructing Stigma Project and has a Billboard that hangs in the International Terminal at Logan Airport in Boston MA. In March 2022 he completed the filming of his 1st feature length documentary focusing on PTSI in the first responder community and has since been featured in two other related documentaries. Keith is a national speaker, podcast personality, and published author. He is a contributing author at Fire Engineering and The Volunteer Firefighter magazines/forums.
Keith’s transparency in his own life has led him to share his story through social media and many other platforms to reach the most people he can. He is known for saying that his life goal is to reduce suicide in the first responder community through education, support resources and to make it OK to not be OK. Keith is currently a life coach and was fundamental in the start-up of First Responder Coaching as the Director of Business Development, and then Director of Promotions. He also created, hosted and produced the Resilient Responder Podcast. He resides in New Hampshire with his wife and is the proud father to three incredible children.
About Deana:
Deana Brown Mitchell is a driven, optimistic, and compassionate leader in all areas of her life.
As a bestselling author, speaker and award-winning entrepreneur, Deana vulnerably shares her experiences for the benefit of others. As a consultant/coach, she has a unique perspective on customizing a path forward for any situation.
Currently President of Genius & Sanity, and known as “The Shower Genius”, she teaches her proprietary framework created from her own experiences of burnout and always putting herself last... for entrepreneurs and leaders who want to continue or expand their business while taking better care of themselves and achieving the life of their dreams.
In 2022 Deana released the book, The Shower Genius, How Self-Care, Creativity & Sanity will Change Your Life Personally & Professionally.
Also, Deana is the Founder & Executive Director of The Realize Foundation. She is a suicide survivor herself, and vulnerably uses her own mental health journey to let others know there is hope. The Realize Foundation produces events and publishes books that let people know there are not alone.
“But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds” Jeremiah 30:17
https://www.realizefoundation.org/
https://www.facebook.com/RealizeFoundation
https://www.instagram.com/realizefoundation/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-realize-foundation/
https://www.youtube.com/@realizefoundation5598
https://twitter.com/ScarstoStarsTM
Thanks for listening!
Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page.
Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below!
Subscribe to the podcast
If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe in your favorite podcast app.
Leave us an Apple Podcasts review
Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts.
