This episode: From the Front Lines to Mental Health Advocacy: Troy Siewert’s Journey of Service, Crisis Intervention, and Growth.   Here’s what you’ll learn about: Introduction and Purpose of the Meeting (0:00) Guest Troy Siewert expresses gratitude for the invitation and thanks the host for the opportunity to speak. Host Drew Deraney introduces Troy Siewert and thanks Suzanne Taylor King for the introduction. Drew discusses the linear nature of life and how adversity can disrupt this linearity, introducing the concept of three types of men: those who are blind to adversity, those who blame others, and those who see adversity as an opportunity for growth. He identifies Troy as a representative of the third type of man who sees adversity as an opportunity for growth and asks Troy to share his defining moment that transformed him. Troy's Background and Early Career Challenges (2:56) Troy begins by thanking Drew for the compliment and explains that his transformation was not due to a single crisis but a series of events. He shares his background as a retired police lieutenant with 30 years of law enforcement experience, starting in 1992. Troy describes the lack of training in handling mental health crisis calls during his early years in policing, leading to frustration and ineffective responses. He recounts a pivotal moment when he was assigned to run a Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) program, which provided the training he needed to handle mental health crises effectively. Turning Point 1: Introduction to Crisis Intervention Training (6:07) Troy explains the initial resistance he felt towards the CIT training but acknowledges its pivotal role in his career and personal growth. He describes the week-long, 40-hour training class as one of the best he received, leading to the development of the Crisis Intervention Team. Troy shares his experience of handling mental health calls more effectively after the training and the positive impact it had on his officers and the community. He emphasizes the importance of proper training for officers to handle mental health crises effectively and reduce potential liability. Turning Point 2: Impactful Call with a Single Mother (6:54) Troy recounts a specific call involving a single mother with a son suffering from schizophrenia and the impact it had on him. He describes the challenging nature of the call, the use of cannabis counteracting the son's schizophrenia, and the successful resolution of the crisis. Troy shares the emotional moment when the mother hugged him, expressing gratitude for the care and s...