58 - How Full is Your Trashcan? - Meagan McCarthy

58 - How Full is Your Trashcan? - Meagan McCarthy

It's a strange question to ask... but you'll understand once you take a listen to my conversation with Meagan McCarthy.

In this episode, Meagan shares her harrowing experience as a deputy sheriff involved in a critical incident that changed her life. She discusses the physical and mental health challenges she faced following the incident, including PTSD and the stigma surrounding mental health in law enforcement. Meagan emphasizes the importance of seeking help and advocating for mental health awareness among first responders. She highlights the need for supportive work environments to improve officer retention and well-being, and shares her journey of recovery and advocacy for change in the culture of law enforcement.

Meagan also shares her journey of overcoming PTSD and the importance of community support for first responders. She emphasizes the power of vulnerability and storytelling in healing, the need for better mental health training in law enforcement, and the significance of leadership in fostering a supportive environment. Meagan encourages officers to seek help and highlights the importance of connections outside of their profession.

TAKEAWAYS

• After a suicide attempt, she committed to trauma therapy and EMDR.
• The culture in law enforcement often discourages emotional vulnerability.
• Meagan advocates for mental health awareness among first responders.
• Supportive work environments are crucial for officer retention and well-being.
• Meagan emphasizes the importance of addressing mental health early in a first responder's career.
• EMDR therapy can be a crucial first step in healing.
• Finding a supportive community can transform your experience.
• Being vocal about struggles can inspire others to seek help.
• Public speaking about personal experiences can aid in healing.
• Leadership should connect with their teams on a human level.
• Mental health training should be prioritized in the academy.
• Recognizing signs of distress in colleagues is essential.
• Support can come from outside your agency.
• It's important to maintain connections outside of law enforcement.
• Help is available, and reaching out is vital.

ABOUT MEAGAN

Meagan McCarthy was a Deputy Sheriff for the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department for six years, serving in various capacities such as CPS liaison, school resource officer, recruiter, and explorer coordinator. Meagan was involved in an on-duty shooting, which was caught on video and highly publicized. The suspect attempted to execute Meagan after brutally beating her. Four years later, the trial began and due to failed law enforcement legislation, the suspect was acquitted and subsequently freed from custody.

Meagan was medically retired for PTSD and has now dedicated herself to advocating for first responder mental health and victims of crime. She serves as a co-chair on the Crime Survivors board, providing insight to victim resources and advocating for the first responder community. She now works to advocate for the mental health, first responder and victim communities, speaking at various conferences, political events, and news interviews. Meagan is a Fox News contributor, and has been featured on NBC, Inside Edition, Yahoo, CBS, ABC, Fox News.com, The Daily Mail, California Insider, and over 20 podcasts. Meagan has spoken at various conferences and events including Turning Point USA, LAAPOA, LAWPOA, NAWLEE, The Bleeding Blue, and the California Police Standards and Training courses. Meagan is an Executive Board member for CoverNow Foundation, and is working to change the mental health system for first responders.

Meagan has her associates degree in Criminal Justice, and is working to complete her bachelor’s degree in Integrative Psychology in 2024, where she will continue on to her Master’s Degree program in Psychology with an emphasis in Critical Incidents to further help the first responder community with mental health challenges. She was awarded the prestigious Above and Beyond award from Crime Survivors for her work in advocacy.

CONNECT WITH MEAGAN

https://www.meaganmccarthy.com

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