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Meet our Director of Mental Health Resources: Greg Podolak

"I am an MSW Clinical Specialization graduate from VCU who is looking to “reimagine” what mental health looks like for First Responders. I believe that there is a large disconnect between mental health professionals and First Responders, and my aim is to establish relationships between the two, so that the appropriate and proper services are being offered. I have two long term goals in mind to accomplish this. My first goal is to establish and operate a non-profit for First Responders and their families, providing many different mental health services. My second goal is to create a position where I can ride along with different departments as an “outside” resource; the idea being that I will be ingrained into the profession and culture and in turn, rapport, trust and the type of care that I provide will be trauma informed and specific. In addition to doing overnights with Richmond Ambulance Authority for 5 months, I am also heavily involved in the public safety sector relating to mental health. My accolades include being peer-support certified for First Responders, being the Director of Mental Health Resources and Suicide Prevention for The Viginia Law Enforcement Foundation (V.A.L.E), as well as an instructor for a non-profit called Reboot Recovery First Responders; a 12 week, free and confidential course where we teach first responders ways to identify, understand and cope with their trauma. I am motivated to dismantle and reduce the stigma surrounding mental health within the first responder community, in an effort to better the overall mental health of first responders."

Personal Phone Number: 914-787-0355

Personal Email: gmpodolak94@gmail.com