About Us
Conrad Weaver is an EMMY® Award Winning documentary filmmaker who accidentally discovered the issue of PTSD in first responders, and has now made this issue his primary focus.
Booking a Screening event, or purchasing a t-shirt or sweatshirt helps get this important story to the world and more importantly, inspire change in how first responders receive help for their trauma!
ABOUT THE FILM
PTSD911 is a documentary film that explores the struggle of emergency first responders who battle the demons of post-traumatic stress but are often afraid of the very real threat of losing their job if they ask for help.
First Responders are heroes, and many are in trouble. A daily barrage of traumatic scenes has an effect on a human being. Things that one cannot unsee, experiences that nightmares are made of, sights that haunt the human soul, yet most first responders handle these situations with poise and professionalism. It seems as if these men and women are not human. Yet they are human, and the psychological toll that impacts their professional and personal lives produces a level of stress that most people can never imagine.
PTSD911 tells their stories and provides a glimpse into the lives of first responders and the traumas they face. The film also provides answers in the form of case studies of individuals who have overcome their demons, and agencies that are working hard to help their members.
The film is designed with first responders in mind, and included interviews with leading experts on trauma, as well as leaders in law enforcement, fire/EMS, and 9-1-1 dispatch agencies and organizations who weigh in on the issues. You can use this as a training element for teaching about the effects of stress and trauma as well as informing your local community about the work first responders do.
IMPACT VISION: TO INSPIRE A MOVEMENT OF HEALTHY FIRST RESPONDERS
PRIMARY IMPACT DYNAMIC: CHANGE ATTITUDES REGARDING MENTAL HEALTH
The goal is to help first responders better understand the importance mental health plays in their overall wellness, and how focusing on this will improve their resilience, and impact not only their own lives, but also their families, agencies, and their community.
GOALS FOR THE FILM
1. Raise Awareness – We must help the general population understand the issue. Most civilians don’t know or understand the issue of post traumatic stress in first responders. The average citizen does not understand the depth of this issue, and they need to know. The goal is to educate the viewer and stimulate change in people’s behavior and attitudes toward our nation’s first responders. The producers feel first responders are heroes who not only deserve applause, but also deserve to have access to the support networks that can help mitigate ongoing stress that trauma can bring. The initiative is to help people understand the urgency of this situation, and motivate individuals, organizations, and communities to be proactive in providing support and resources to help all first responders work and live a healthy and productive life both in their professional and personal lives.
2. End the Stigma – To help first responders realize it’s okay to ask for help. The case studies featured in the film will depict individuals and agencies who are helping their members realize it it ok to raise one’s hand and ask for help. The producer’s goal is to make it ok to not be ok and to ask for help.
3. Inspire Systemic Change – No one should get fired just because they are struggling with the traumas they have faced, and have asked for help. The filmmakers want agency leaders to learn how they can implement healthy changes and training within their departments so their members get the mental health help they need and can continue to be productive in their public service to our communities.