VIDEO: Mike Washington doesn't go out on calls anymore, but the retired Seattle firefighter is still fighting to save lives.
"We lose more firefighters, more police officers to suicide than we do on the job," Washington said.
Washington talks to first responders and veterans about stress, addiction and suicide, recently taking his message to Seattle Station 24. "As a firefighter, we get called to the worst things because that's our job," Washington said. "We signed up for this job, but no one talks about our mental health."
Washington spent 32 years going to those calls and 23 years in the Marine Corps protecting his community and country.
But who was protecting him?
"Being brought up in the Marine Corps and fire service we were mentored by tough guys," Washington said. "There was also a lot of 'Don't complain. Don't cry about it. Rub some dirt on it and get back in there.'"