41 - Healing Invisible Wounds with Russ Hanes

First Responder Wellness Podcast

41 - Healing Invisible Wounds with Russ Hanes

What do you do when you’re a first responder and you're struggling and making bad decisions at work and you realize this is not working out for you? That’s where Russ Hanes was at after 17 years of working in law enforcement, corrections, and 911 dispatch.

Fortunately for Russ, he was finally able eventually get his life together but it meant leaving the job he loved.

But he still wanted to help people. So, he launched the Invisible Wounds Project, a non-profit that helps improve the lives and mental health of veterans, first responders and their families.

Today we’ll hear a little about his story and about an innovative new initiative his nonprofit is launching this month! Stay tuned for his story.

ABOUT OUR GUEST

Russ Hanes is the Founder and Executive Director of the Invisible Wounds Project (IWP) a Minnesota-based nonprofit whose mission is to positively impact and enhance the lives of those who serve(d). IWP provides access to qualified therapy services, and other support services for military, police, fire, EMS, frontline medical staff, corrections, 911 dispatch, and their families related to PTSD, mental health and suicide issues.

Russ spent 17 years working in the public safety field as a police officer, corrections officer, and 911 dispatcher. In 2016, Russ left public safety after silently battling PTSD. Since 2009 Russ has been involved in fundraising for veteran, and first responder causes. It was in 2016 as he battled his own inner demons, and after being told that he "didn't qualify for help" because he wasn't a veteran, that the Invisible Wounds Project was born. Russ recognized that many of his friends and colleagues were suffering from PTSD and cumulative stress but had nowhere to turn.

The Invisible Wounds Project which has annually served hundreds of individuals and families, just recently began construction of its IWP Support Center, which is a day-use therapeutic space meant to provide those they serve a place to go for connection and services. The IWP Support Center has a community lounge with recreation activities and a coffee bar. It also has a multi-use meeting and training space, a woodworking shop, art studio, offices, and more. With this facility, IWP can provide daily therapeutic activities, connection opportunities, mentoring, education, retreats, and much more.

CONNECT WITH RUSS

https://www.iwproject.org/

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