Courageous Conversations: Healing, Resilience, and Advocacy with Keith Hanks

Firefighters are built to handle the heat—but what about the invisible battles they face daily?

In Episode 74 of Beneath the Helmet, I had the privilege of sitting down with Keith Hanks, a former firefighter turned mental health advocate, to have a raw and unfiltered conversation about the struggles first responders face, the importance of speaking up, and the power of resilience.

Keith’s story is one of survival, strength, and transformation. He shares his deeply personal journey through PTSD, multiple suicide attempts, and the process of reclaiming his life—culminating in the release of his book, Allen. His advocacy work today is helping shift the culture in the fire service to one where mental health is no longer ignored but openly discussed.

This episode is honest, emotional, and necessary for anyone in the fire service, emergency response, or leadership positions who wants to understand better the weight of the job and how to support those who carry it.

Breaking the Silence: A Conversation That Needs to Happen

The fire service has long prided itself on toughness and resilience, but that toughness has been mistaken for silence for too long. When firefighters and first responders hide their struggles, the consequences can be devastating.

Keith speaks candidly about the six suicide attempts he survived—the last one in December 2019, where a gun jammed in his hand. That moment was a turning point, but not immediately. It took inpatient treatment, deep reflection, and a commitment to healing before he realized that his survival was not an accident—it was a sign that his story needed to be told.

Today, Keith is using his voice to help others navigate their struggles, to normalize conversations around mental health, and to encourage the fire service to stop treating psychological injuries differently than physical ones.

"I need to be here. Life can suck, life does suck, but I need to be here. I’m supposed to be." – Keith Hanks

5 Nuggets from This Episode: Lessons on Healing & Resilience

1?? The Fire Service Needs to Prioritize Mental Health, Like Physical Training

Firefighters train rigorously for physical challenges—throwing ladders, advancing hose lines, performing rescues—but what if we put that same effort into mental fitness? Keith emphasizes that mental health training should be as common and mandatory as physical training in the firehouse.

2?? Talking About Suicide Prevention Doesn’t Cause More Suicide

There’s a harmful myth that the more we talk about suicide, the more we put the idea in people’s heads. Keith completely shuts this down. From his own experience, he knows that if more open conversations had happened earlier in his career, he might have reached out sooner. Silence breeds shame, and shame keeps people from getting help.

3?? Resilience Isn’t About White-Knuckling Through Pain

Many first responders see "resilience" as powering through no matter what, but Keith explains that true resilience is about acknowledging when you need help and taking action. White-knuckling through pain only leads to burnout, operational stress injuries, and, in worst cases, self-harm.

4?? The Younger Firefighter Generation is Demanding Change

Unlike previous generations that were told to “suck it up,” younger firefighters expect their departments to take care of them—mentally, physically, and emotionally. Keith sees this as a positive shift. It’s no longer enough for departments to ignore mental health—change is being demanded.

5?? Everyone Has a Superpower—Find Yours

Keith’s book, Allen, is named after his dissociative identity—a part of him that carried him through life’s most challenging moments. He now sees this as a superpower—a strength that helped him survive. His message? We all have something inside us that keeps us going, even when things feel impossible. The key is recognizing it and using it.

"Nobody’s going to reach out if we’re not making the atmosphere so they can reach out." – Keith Hanks

This conversation isn’t just about Keith’s story—it’s about every firefighter, first responder, and leader in emergency services who has struggled in silence. It’s about changing the culture so that no firefighter feels alone in their battle with mental health.

?? Listen Now & Join the Conversation

This episode is raw, real, and absolutely necessary. If you’re a firefighter, a first responder, or someone who wants to be part of the change, tune in now.

??? Listen to Episode 74 here: https://www.beneaththehelmet.ca/unpacking-firefighter-wellness-why-are-we-afraid/

?? Subscribe to Beneath the Helmet for more powerful conversations on firefighter health, leadership, and resilience.

?? Don’t forget to share this episode with your crew, department, or anyone who needs to hear it. Together, we can change the culture.

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