Episode 49: Selena

In this episode, we interview “Selena,” a female correctional officer who works in a maximum security correctional setting. She discusses growing up with a distant mother and an alcoholic father, and the impact these early relationships had when she became a parent herself. We explore her post-partum depression, lack of emotional connection with her child, and her suicidal thoughts. She also discusses her anxiety related to commuting to work, particularly during inclement weather.  “Selena” provides a look into the common issues most women are struggling with outside of work. 

In this episode, we interview board certified psychologist  Dr. Joel Fay. Joel spent six years in the US Army as a military police officer and as an investigative specialist. He joined the LAPD for a 5 year period, before transferring to the San Rafael Police Department, where he spent the next 23+ years. During his career in law enforcement, he worked a variety of positions including SWAT, hostage negotiation, canine, drug recognition and as a mental health liaison officer.

While working for San Rafael PD, he obtained his doctorate in clinical psychology and became licensed as a clinical psychologist. It was following the tragic death of four Oakland police officers that he began seeing first responders in his private practice, and would do so after working his shift on patrol.

Joel is the founder of the West Coast Post Trauma Retreat, which is a six day intensive retreat specifically for first responders and law enforcement, and the retreat is now facilitated by the First Responder Support Network. Joel is currently working in full time private practice in San Rafael, and continues to teach and consult with a variety of police departments in the Bay Area.

https://www.joelfay.com

https://www.frsn.org

In this episode, we interview CDCR Lt. Salvador Bermudez who works at California State Prison Los Angeles County. “Sal” as his friends know him, discusses his history of high blood pressure/hypertension that he left untreated for a prolonged period of time. We discuss the relationship between work stress and high blood pressure, and the unique challenges he has faced working at his institution.

Sal’s untreated hypertension has led to kidney failure and he is currently receiving dialysis three days a week. He has exhausted his leave credits and continues to work while he waits for a donor to provide him with a kidney transplant. Sal is married with two children, one of which has special needs. He is the sole provider for his family.

Sal needs a kidney donor who is either O+ or O- blood type, who has no chronic medical conditions and someone who is not overweight. But even if you aren’t a match, your donation (in his name) could move his name to the top of the donor list. To apply to begin the process to see if you could donate, please go to the website:

https://usc.donorscreen.org/register/now 

If you know Sal, or have worked with him before, he could use your support. Please reach out to him. Once he receives a kidney donation, he plans to set up a catastrophic time bank so that he can have the donation surgery and recover at home afterward. 

If you don’t have his contact information, feel free to reach out to me.