🎙 On the Front Lines – Mental Health and the 911 Dispatcher Life with Brittney
- Tami West, PhD
- Apr 2
- 5 min read
Welcome to Consider Yourself Hugged! Click below to watch or Click here to listen to Episode 204.
*Disclaimer:
The information in this show is not intended to be therapy or to address your individual situation. It is information based on experiences, opinions, and research. If you need further help, please reach out to one of the resources at the end of the show notes, or others in your area.
🎧 Episode Summary
In our powerful season finale, Tami and Michelle and I are joined by Tami’s younger sister Brittney, a 911 dispatcher in Metro Nashville. This deeply personal episode pulls back the curtain on what it’s really like to handle crisis calls, especially involving mental health.Brittney shares how she found her way to dispatching after personal loss, what it’s like to manage PTSD, anxiety, and depression while helping others in crisis, and what everyone should know about calling 911 when a loved one is struggling. She also talks about the support systems in place for dispatchers (and what's lacking), and why she’s passionate about breaking the stigma of mental health in emergency communications.
“You want someone who’s been through what you’re going through.” – Brittney
🔑 Key Takeaways
· • What happens behind the scenes during a 911 mental health crisis call
· • Why knowing your address is the most important thing you can do
· • The real reason dispatchers are often not considered first responders in Tennessee
· • How Brittney is using her story to educate and encourage others in the field
· • Hope for the future: Brittney’s journey into public speaking and possibly psychology
💬 Favorite Quotes
· • "You want someone who’s been through what you’re going through." – Brittney
· • "Being mad is better than being gone."
· • "Know your address. We’ll do the rest."
· • "I just desperately want to live a normal life again… but I don’t think that’s for me anymore."
· • "I wish people knew what dispatchers really do—and what we carry."
About Brittney
Brittney Amara is a Nashville native and mother of three, and daughter of an aspiring Country music singer. Brittney has been a 911 dispatcher for Metro Nashville Department of Emergency Communications Police/Fire/EMS for five years. She started her job in August 2020, mere months after enduring the passing of her beloved father in March 2020...and just 2 years following the passing of her mother in May of 2018, so she is no stranger to enduring difficult situations in life and trying to navigate them and the toll that takes. During her employment with Nashville DEC, Brittney has received multiple awards and certifications, including Employee of the Month/Certified Training Officer/Peer Supporter. Brittney’s enthusiasm for her job and ability to impact others has positioned her uniquely this year as she has been chosen to speak to dispatchers from all over the country at the National APCO (Association of Public Safety Communication Officials) conference in Baltimore this summer. Her session will be educating fellow 911 peers on how to better handle callers who are experiencing a Mental Health crisis or crisis of any kind. Brittney has also served as a board member on the Employee Engagement Committee and Chairwoman of the Employee Recognition Committee, making it a priority to shine a light on the hard work of her coworkers and make sure the feel loved and appreciated. In the future, Brittney hopes to speak out more publicly about 911 dispatchers to bridge the gap between those who call into 911 and those who are 911.
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As we've always asked in the past, please pass the show link along to your friends and subscribe, download, and review wherever you are listening. If you’re a woman and you haven’t joined our private FB group A Place for Women, please do that now! It’ll be your source of encouragement. I'd love for you to follow my Tami West Seminars Facebook page as well. If you'd like to know more about my Mental Health First Aid Courses, contact me at 615-497-7714 or tamiwest@tamiwest.com.
And next season, Consider Yourself Hugged 😘🤗
Mental Health Resources:
Michelle Kixmiller, MSN, MAE, RN, APN, PMHNP-BC
Michelle Kixmiller is a Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and Licensed Educator. She works with children and adults with mental health needs including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, ADHD, autism, schizophrenia, and obsessive compulsive disorder. Michelle served as a public school teacher and science department chair for over a decade when a family tragedy pulled her in a different direction. The death of her younger brother after a multiple year battle with depression and alcoholism led her to pursue a career in the mental health field. She went back to school to become a registered nurse graduating and gaining experience as a critical care nurse at a level 1 regional burn center prior to completing a graduate degree to become a mental health nurse practitioner. Her vision is holistic care through teamwork to create a more peaceful school environment for students and staff alike. No one should have to struggle alone. Michelle currently works full time for a non-profit community mental health center at an outpatient clinic and works PRN for an inpatient crisis stabilization unit. When not at work she loves spending time with family, traveling, watching movies (not scary ones), running (slowly), and Crossfit. Contact Michelle at Silver Lining Psychiatric Solutions, 615-378-7713 or mkixmill@gmail.com.
Tami West, PhD
Stress and Mental Health Expert Dr. Tami West uses her entertaining and compelling style to shine a new light on how to transform your life and discover solutions to life’s challenges.
Tami has worked in a variety of industries including healthcare, school nutrition, corporate sales, and 10 years as a public-school teacher. In 2013 she received her PhD in Human Development, studying the connections among stress, emotions, and identity.
Dr. West has spoken in 48 states across the US, as well as the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand. In any given year, Tami speaks to groups with audiences consisting of anywhere from 100 to 3,000 people.
Dr. West is the author of several successful publications including three books: The Stress Club, Life Without the Monsters and Thrive. When she's not speaking or writing, you might find her with her traveling with her husband and family, reading historical fiction, or watching Big Bang Theory.
Tami connects with audiences through real experience, cutting edge research, and transparent stories – all sprinkled with humor! She will make you laugh, cry, and shine a refreshingly new light on life's challenges.
Television Interviews
Contact Tami at tamiwest@tamiwest.com
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