Our Mission
Since 2022, Guardian Wellness has been dedicated to providing comprehensive mental health training for first responders. Our mission is to equip these heroes with the necessary mindset, tools, and knowledge to manage the public service culture's unique mental, physical, social, cultural, and spiritual health challenges. We strive to help the long-term health and success of each layer of the first responder community. These layers are the individual, the family, the department, the community, and how our larger society appreciates the service they provide.
Supporting Resilience
Guardian Wellness Program Overview
At Guardian Wellness, we are dedicated to providing specialized mental health support for first responders. Our program focuses on building resilience and offering tailored services to protect those who protect us. We understand the unique challenges faced by first responders and strive to create a safe space for them to address stress, trauma, and uncertainty. Our team of experienced professionals is committed to promoting mental well-being and ensuring the mental health needs of our heroes are met.
Our Team
Ben Pearson
LCSW
Diverse Professional Experience:
Over the past 21 years of clinical experience, Ben has developed a profound understanding and expertise in working with adolescents, families, and professionals under various challenging conditions. The last 11 years of his career has focused on adult substance use and mental health treatment. For the last 6, Ben has focused on working with first responders, their families, and public safety department leadership.
Impactful Roles and Achievements:
Ben has been a Clinical Director of an intensive outpatient and a residential treatment program. Beyond supervising and training culturally competent teams, Ben also designs program curriculum for first responders and families looking for change.
In recent years, Ben has trained and advocated for first responder health at professional conferences, podcasts, and departments nationwide. Training topics have included PTSD, Addiction, Stress Resilience, Supporting First Responders after Treatment, How Hyper-vigilance Impacts Families, and others. Ben has joined Guardian Wellness as a trainer to further the message that first responders, and their families, who have been exposed to dangerous work conditions can heal and enjoy a healthy future.
Brad Shepherd
Retired OKlahoma Highway Patrol
Distinguished Law Enforcement Career:
Brad Shepherd's notable 25-year career with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol culminated in his role as a Captain, during which he undertook various challenging assignments. His extensive experience in law enforcement has endowed him with invaluable skills and insights.
Wellness and Peer Support Expertise:
During his career and following his retirement, Brad devoted five years to the non-profit wellness, peer support, and training community on a national level. This phase of his career was marked by his deepening commitment to mental health and addiction recovery
Instructor and Presenter:
As an experienced presenter and instructor, Brad brings a wealth of knowledge to his discipline, making significant contributions to the field of public safety and wellness.
Mike BErg
Retired Parowan Police Chief
Career Experience:
Mike Berg has dedicated over 30 years to serving his community in the field of public safety. He began his journey at the age of 18 as a volunteer EMT and later
expanded his commitment by becoming a volunteer firefighter. The extensive experiences he gained in Emergency Medical Services (EMS) provided him with the skills and insights that proved invaluable during his tenure as a Law Enforcement Officer. Mike served as an Officer for over 17 years, including 12 years in Law Enforcement Administration, where he addressed a
wide range of complex situations.
Personal Journey:
Mike's personal journey with mental health started over three years ago, and he remains committed to his ongoing personal growth. He has taken an active role in
advocating for mental health awareness by collaborating with and providing expert testimony in
different legislative committees and directly with legislators on Utah’s Capitol hill to implement
important legislation for Utah’s First Responders like HB 023. HB 023 passed the Utah Legislator into law in July 2020, and it mandates all First Responder agencies provide mental health resources for their employees, families, and retirees. With the support of his family, Mike has transformed many challenges into a passion for assisting fellow First Responders and their
families in combating the stigma surrounding mental health issues. He believes our mental health is our responsibility but there should be no roadblocks in the way like funding or STIGMAS.