Hashtag Buddycheck with Stephen Powers

Hashtag Buddycheck with Stephen Powers

On the show today Stephen Powers talks about why he and his wife started the Hashtag Buddycheck movement. #BuddyCheck has been used on many social media posts to encourage first responders and others to check on each other. What motivated Stephen and his wife to start this? Listen in to this important conversation!

ABOUT OUR GUEST

During my 25 years as a first responder and the time served in the Marines, I was exposed to multiple critical incidents and was negatively impacted by vicarious trauma which affected both my professional and personal life. As an officer I was trained in Basic Crisis & Hostage Negotiating, Resources for Resilience, Veteran Trauma and Engagement, partnered with the Recast Program in Charlotte- all of which have helped me learn to address trauma and resilience. I also served as a member of the Charlotte Mayor’s Initiative for Suicide Prevention in Veterans as well as partners with local agencies to advocate for suicide prevention.

In the course of my time as a sworn officer and now in retirement, I serve as Crisis Intervention Team Instructor for Mecklenburg, Union, Cabarrus, Rowan, and Stanly Counties in NC and present on topics with a central focus on Vicarious Trauma: Officer Wellness and De-Escalation Techniques: Crisis Communication. Throughout my career I was trained federally and locally as a Peer Support Officer, and I am currently certified as a North Carolina Certified Peer Support Specialist. I have also received certification in Crisis Incident Stress Management (CISM) through International Critical Incident Stress Foundation Inc. (ICISF) in Suicide Prevention, Intervention and Postvention & Assisting Individuals in Crisis & Group Crisis Intervention. I have also received certification in QPR, NC Certified WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action Plan) and completed the Professional Compassion Fatigue Counseling course & received a diploma issued through the CTAA (Complementary Therapists Accredited Association).

My wife and I founded Hashtag BuddyCheck, which is an approved 501c(3) nonprofit. Our mission is to provide proactive education, support and connections to vetted local and national resources for first responders and their spouses.

If you are struggling please #ReachOut to me if you feel comfortable or one of the quality organizations that exist for first responders specifically. If you know someone who may be struggling please #ReachIn as they may not be able to ask for help. #BuddyCheck™️

Connect with Stephen: hashtagbuddycheck@gmail.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HashtagBuddyCheck

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