The Lion's Pride Volume 10 (Spring 2018) | Page 42

had to be done but I did not know where to begin. For advice, I reached
out to a friend of who used to be a chaplain in the US army and has a
son who is also a first responder. I felt that if there was anyone in the
world who could understand me it would be him. With his guidance our
life once again improved. Over the last year there has been a lot more
attention brought to the mental health issues that plague our first
responders. We were able to get in touch with someone who understood
my husband: Chuck, a former homicide detective who chose to do a
career change and make a difference in the lives of his brothers and
sisters in blue. He taught my husband techniques that helped him
decompress the last 8 years (at this point) of trauma. I don’t think I will
ever forget the morning my husband told me that “this is the first time I
woke up happy.” This is one of the happiest moments of my life.
I was able to save my hero, to control the monster that I know is
lurking in the background, waiting for the right moment to try and strike
again. Depression does not care about your age, color, financial status,
or what you have accomplished in life. It looks to strike and take as
many victims as it can get its hands on. We can make a difference in the
lives of many. Something as a simple as a kind word or a warm hug can
make a world of difference. If you feel that something is wrong with
your friend or a family member speak up, you could save a life.