Episode 45
Raw and Unfiltered: Navigating Mental Health, Combat Trauma, and Finding Hope
(Note: This episode contains heavy discussions regarding PTSD, trauma, and suicide. Please prioritize your mental well-being; a full trigger warning and list of resources are provided at the start of the audio.)
Welcome to a very different, deeply raw episode of Hey Elgin!!. This week, Tony, Ben, and Boston Nick are setting aside the usual banter to have a critical and vulnerable conversation about mental health, PTSD, and suicide prevention.
We are honored to be joined by Chris Orton—a Navigator, Mental Health Peer Specialist, retired Sheriff's Deputy, and Army Veteran. Chris bravely shares his journey of working a crushing caseload of horrific crimes against children, the breaking point that followed, and the painful reality of navigating untreated trauma during a time when mental health struggles were heavily stigmatized. Today, he is a dedicated advocate for the community, helping those in crisis find the therapy and treatment that gave him a new way of life.
In one of the most powerful moments in the history of the show, our very own Ben opens up to the world about his personal battle with mental health, stemming from a traumatic combat experience, and his own near-fatal struggles. It is a sobering, beautiful reminder that no matter how dark things get, you are never alone in the fight.
While this is the heaviest and most emotional conversation we have ever recorded, Boston Nick steps up at the very end to do what he does best. Breaking the tension with our signature classic rock and the strange questions, he gives us all a much-needed breath of fresh air and a laugh to close out the show.
If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out for help.
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