A Mental Health Mayday. The Laverne Friesen Story – Part 2 (SAM 302)

  Laverne Friesen spent his career in a variety of first responder positions in Alberta, Canada. His experiences include healthcare, volunteer firefighter and a sworn law enforcement officer. This has exposed him to the best and worst of what people do to themselves and to others. After his battle with mental illness, Laverne committed himself to starting conversations to destigmatize mental illness in first responders, which has led to the realization that the issues plaguing the emergency services applies to the public at large.   Laverne is trying to raise awareness around mental health in the workplace to encourage others to be observant of possible issues and to speak up.   His “human first” approach to his profession and personal life has made him a resource to those who are struggling with their mental health and known as someone who is always available to someone in need.   Laverne is happily married with two young children who keep him busy and enhance his situational awareness skills every day. Show Notes Contact Us www.SAMatters.com   www.RichGasaway.com   612-548-4424 (office)   651-331-8518 (cell)   Get connected with SAMatters   Facebook: Follow SAMatters LinkedIn: Follow Rich Gasaway Twitter: Follow Rich Gasaway Instagram: Follow SA_Matters Youtube: Subscribe to SAMattersTV Itunes: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio Stitcher Radio: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio Google Play: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio iHeart Radio: Subscribe to SAMatters Radio   Premier Sponsor Midwest Fire MidwestFire.com Associate Sponsor Chief Miller Instagram: @Chief_Miller   Firefighter Near Miss Reporting System http://www.firefighternearmiss.com/   Guest Information Laverne Friesen [email protected]   William Vavrek  Photographer & Freelance Photojournalist E: [email protected] F: http://facebook.com/williamvavrekphotography/ T: http://twitter.com/williamvavrek/ W: http://williamvavrek.com/   SPONSOR THIS SHOW        The SAMatters Show is the longest running, fastest growing, safety focused weekly program on the Internet. If you know a company that might be interested in advertising their product or service to our listeners and viewers, ask them to contact us by clicking the “Contact us” tab at the top of the SAMatters.com website.