🎧 Episode SummaryIn our powerful season finale, Tami and Michelle and I are joined by Tami’s younger sister Brittney, a 911 dispatcher in Metro Nashville. This deeply personal episode pulls back the curtain on what it’s really like to handle crisis calls, especially involving mental health.Brittney shares how she found her way to dispatching after personal loss, what it’s like to manage PTSD, anxiety, and depression while helping others in crisis, and what everyone should know about calling 911 when a loved one is struggling. She also talks about the support systems in place for dispatchers (and what's lacking), and why she’s passionate about breaking the stigma of mental health in emergency communications.“You want someone who’s been through what you’re going through.” – Brittney🔑 Key Takeaways• What happens behind the scenes during a 911 mental health crisis call• Why knowing your address is the most important thing you can do• The real reason dispatchers are often not considered first responders in Tennessee • How Brittney is using her story to educate and encourage others in the field • Hope for the future: Brittney’s journey into public speaking and possibly psychologyShow notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/mental-health-and-911. Thanks for joining!**Not intended to be therapy or replace therapy - If you need further help, please reach out to one of the resources:General Resources National Alliance of Mental Illness: https://www.nami.org Mental Health America: https://mhanational.org Mental Health First Aid Resources: https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/ Celebrate Recovery: https://www.celebraterecovery.com/ About AA: https://www.aa.org/ Tami West, PhD Stress and Mental Health Expert Dr. Tami West uses her entertaining and compelling style to shine a new light on how to transform your life and discover solutions to life’s challenges. Connect with me:https://www.tamiwest.com/ facebook.com/tamiwestseminars tamiwest@tamiwest.com
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**The information shared in this episode is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health care.
If you or someone you know is struggling, please seek help from a qualified professional. If you’re in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, or visit 988lifeline.org for chat and resources.
General Resources
National Alliance of Mental Illness: https://www.nami.org
Mental Health America: https://mhanational.org
Mental Health First Aid Resources: https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/
About Tami & Michelle:
Michelle Kixmiller, PMHNP
Michelle is a Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Tami West, PhD
Stress & Mental Health Expert Dr. Tami West uses research & fun to help transform your life.
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