Shedding Light on Mental Wellness Struggles Among Wildland Firefighters

I met filmmaker Scottie Briggs last year when his film “Compassion Spreads Like Wildfire” was selected at the Utah International Film Festival. He has a fire for storytelling and he has not intention of letting it burn out anytime soon.

In a powerful new documentary, “A Dirty Secret – Compassion in Wildfire,” Scottie Briggs delves into the often-overlooked issue of mental wellness among wildland firefighters. The film follows the journey of Burk Minor, a key figure in the Wildland Firefighter Foundation (WFF), as he and others work tirelessly to address the alarming rise in suicides within the firefighting community.

The idea for the documentary emerged during Briggs’ five-year exploration of the Granite Mountain Hotshots’ tragic loss during the Yarnell Hill Fire in Arizona. The profound trauma experienced by firefighters and their families became evident, prompting Briggs to shine a light on their struggles. Through extensive interviews and collaboration with the WFF, the documentary exposes the harsh realities faced by wildland firefighters and their urgent need for mental health support.

Burk Minor has spearheaded innovative programs to assist firefighters in crisis. Despite the US Forest Service receiving $75 million for mental health initiatives, none have materialized. Minor’s dedication and the WFF’s efforts have become a lifeline for countless firefighters, addressing cases of trauma and providing crucial counseling and support.

The documentary unveils a shocking truth: in 2021 alone, there were at least 14 known suicides among wildland firefighters, with potentially many more unreported cases. The film features interviews with mental health experts and firefighters, including contributions from renowned experts like Dr. Katy Kuhlman. Their stories of struggle and recovery provide a roadmap for others facing similar challenges.

“This is the Dirty Secret, no one wants to talk about and it’s been swept under the rug for too long for these hard working heroes,” said Briggs. “I have interviewed many mental health experts and firefighters (including Fox/CNN/Newsmax contributing expert Dr. Katy Kuhlman) and they share their stories of struggles and share the pathways forward for others to follow to healthy living.”

Briggs emphasizes the urgency of normalizing discussions around mental wellness, particularly within the firefighting community. The stigma surrounding seeking help must be eradicated, and the film aims to encourage open conversations about mental health, portraying it as a natural part of overall well-being.

Despite the challenges faced during the production of “A Dirty Secret,” including potential backlash for exposing hidden truths, Briggs remains steadfast in his commitment to shedding light on important topics. He hopes to create awareness and foster understanding, even if it means challenging government agencies and facing opposition.

“As a filmmaker my intention is not to tell you how to feel, just to help you feel, so you can come to your own conclusion or at very minimum shine the light on an important topic.”

Reflecting on the journey of making the documentary, Briggs expresses gratitude for the deep friendships formed and the intimate sharing of personal stories. Witnessing the healing process firsthand, he emphasizes the importance of vulnerability and the full range of the human experience portrayed in the film.

“That’s the biggest blessing–to learn from the examples of these exceptional, down to earth people. They don’t ever view themselves as heroes, but to me they are. They are self sacrificing humans helping others in life threatening situations, yet remain calm and cool headed while serving the public .The altruism is so inspiring to witness first-hand, as they selfless serve others and to hear these stories (some unfortunately we cannot share) and laugh and cry with them. It’s like the full range of the human experience for me.”

When asked about the impact of winning awards at the Utah Film Festival for his previous documentary, “Compassion Spreads Like Wildfire,” Briggs acknowledged the positive experience. Premiering in American Fork, Utah, and receiving nominations in various categories, the film not only gained recognition but also highlighted the talent of the team, with Jason Raffoni and Sue Rowe winning the award for best music.

“I will never forget the smiles on their faces when they accepted their beautiful trophy. We really had such a great team… Their song “In The Black” has become an anthem of sort for the wildland firefighters.”

Looking ahead, Briggs has no regrets about the path he took in creating “A Dirty Secret.” He values the authenticity of his truth and credits the collaborative efforts of talented industry friends who contributed to the project.

As for the film’s release, Briggs is currently working on distribution, with the Wildland Firefighter Foundation set to use it as a tool to raise awareness about mental wellness programs. Viewers can anticipate finding the documentary on the foundation’s website, wffoundation.org, in the near future. Until then, the foundation continues to offer mental wellness programs, emphasizing the critical need for support within the firefighting community.

To stay updated on future projects, audiences can follow Into The Black Productions on Facebook and Instagram. Scottie Briggs can also be reached on his personal Instagram page at 1reignking@instagram.

Filmmakers like Scottie Briggs understand the responsibility they are put into when exploring these stories and to tell them honestly. I look forward to following Briggs as he continues his filmmaking journey and to learn more behind the scenes of the stories he wants to tell. In the meantime it’s time for me to pack up and discover another cinematic story starting to unfold. See you on set. 

About Warren Workman

Warren Workman is the founder of the Utah International Film Festival. Workman’s passion is to share the stories of the filmmakers behind the movies and to encourage the next generation of filmmakers. Workman provides these services through ReelVibe PR.