On today's special edition of "Closer Look with Rose Scott," we begin a two-day series discussing a serious health risk among first responders: post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 1 in 3 police officers, firefighters and other emergency personnel are impacted by the disorder. Rose talks with several guests including advocates and first responders about how PSTD affects them and why they are supporting HB 451. The proposed bill would create an insurance program that provides worker’s compensation to first responders who experience trauma.

 

Guests include: 

 

Gwinnett County Police Sergeant Ashley Wilson

 

Brandi Cook, the sister of Gwinnett Battalion Chief Chris Baggett

 

Lyndsey Perry, a 15-year law enforcement veteran

 

Butch Ayers, the executive director of the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police 

 

David Eddins, the fire chief of the Waycross Fire Department and the past president of the Georgia Association of Fire Chiefs

On today's special edition of "Closer Look with Rose Scott," we begin a two-day series discussing a serious health risk among first responders: post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 1 in 3 police officers, firefighters and other emergency personnel are impacted by the disorder.&nbsp;Rose talks with several guests including advocates and first responders about how PSTD&nbsp;affects&nbsp;them and why they are supporting&nbsp;<a href="https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/64524" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">HB&nbsp;451</a>. The proposed bill would&nbsp;create an insurance program that&nbsp;provides worker’s&nbsp;compensation to first responders who&nbsp;experience&nbsp;trauma.&nbsp;Guests include:&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.gwinnettcounty.com/web/gwinnett/departments/police/contacts" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Gwinnett County Police</a>&nbsp;Sergeant Ashley Wilson&nbsp;Brandi Cook, the sister of Gwinnett Battalion Chief Chris Baggett&nbsp;Lyndsey Perry, a 15-year law enforcement veteran&nbsp;<a href="https://gachiefs.com/staff/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Butch Ayers</a>, the executive director of the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police&nbsp;&nbsp;David Eddins, the fire chief of the Waycross&nbsp;Fire Department&nbsp;and the past president of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.gafc.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Georgia Association&nbsp;of&nbsp;Fire Chiefs</a>

"Closer Look with Rose Scott" brings you the issues that impact where we live, how we interact, and how we can all thrive. It’s not just about Atlanta; it’s a program for Atlanta. Rose connects with community leaders, CEOs, policymakers, and people who don't often get a platform, and she brings you in on the conversation.

"Closer Look with Rose Scott" brings you the issues that impact where we live, how we interact, and how we can all thrive. It’s not just about Atlanta; it’s a program for Atlanta. Rose connects with community leaders, CEOs, policymakers, and people who don't often get a platform, and she brings you in on the conversation.

Closer Look with Rose Scott

🔊 WABE Podcasts > News, Politics, Health

How PTSD impacts first responders and how HB 451 could help

On today’s “Closer Look with Rose Scott,” just as emergency room visits for child overdoses seeing a slight increase in Georgia, Emory University is expanding its adolescent addiction care. We speak with Dr. Joe Mathias, an addiction psychiatrist and an associate medical education director for the Addiction Alliance of Georgia, about how they’re assisting kids who are struggling with substance use disorder.

 

Then, we speak with Lamar Stewart, the Interim Executive Director of Showcase Atlanta. With less than a month before thousands of international visitors roam the city streets for a series of eight match ups, Stewart shares how the city is preparing local businesses to take advantage of the boost in foot traffic and how Atlanta will keep World Cup fans entertained.

 

And finally, our graduation series continues with Kathy from Freedom University. She faced many challenges as an undocumented student – with no access to in-state tuition or admission to the top state public schools. However, Kathy remained ambitious and graduated from Freedom University, majoring in psychology and public health. Hear the next goals she’s setting for herself.

On today&rsquo;s &ldquo;<a href="https://www.wabe.org/podcasts/closer-look/">Closer Look with Rose Scott</a>,&rdquo; just as emergency room visits for child overdoses seeing a slight increase in Georgia, Emory University is expanding its <a href="https://news.emory.edu/stories/2026/03/hs_bhc_aag_adolescent_program/story.html">adolescent addiction care</a>. We speak with <a href="https://med.emory.edu/departments/psychiatry/programs/addiction/staff.html">Dr. Joe Mathias</a>, an addiction psychiatrist and an associate medical education director for the Addiction Alliance of Georgia, about how they&rsquo;re assisting kids who are struggling with substance use disorder.
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Then, we speak with Lamar Stewart, the Interim Executive Director of <a href="https://showcaseatlanta.com/">Showcase Atlanta</a>. With less than a month before thousands of international visitors roam the city streets for a series of eight match ups, Stewart shares how the city is preparing local businesses to take advantage of the boost in foot traffic and how Atlanta will keep World Cup fans entertained.
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And finally, our <a href="https://www.wabe.org/closer-look-graduation-series-2026/">graduation series</a> continues with Kathy from <a href="https://www.freedom-university.org/">Freedom University</a>. She faced many challenges as an undocumented student &ndash; with no access to in-state tuition or admission to the top state public schools. However, Kathy remained ambitious and graduated from Freedom University, majoring in psychology and public health. Hear the next goals she&rsquo;s setting for herself.

Emory expands addiction recovery services for youth; Showcase Atlanta prepares city for World Cup; Freedom University Graduate

DreamHack returns to the Georgia World Congress Center on Friday for three days of 

competitive gaming, esports entertainment, indie game showcases, cosplay championship, live entertainment and more. Special guests include NBA Hall of Famer Dwight Howard and Atlanta-based cosplayer and designer Yaya Han. On Thursday’s edition of “Closer Look,” Han and Nordlander joined the program to share more about the history of DreamHack and what attendees can expect this weekend.

 

Plus, the legendary rock band The Black Crowes just released their 10th studio album, “A Pound of Feathers.” Brothers Chris and Rich Robinson, who are Atlanta natives, are currently traveling for their global tour, the"Southern Hospitality Tour." Rose talks with guitarist and vocalist Rich Robinson, ahead of the band’s performances in Alpharetta on May 23 and in Augusta on June 4.

 

Lastly, for “Closer Look’s” annual graduation series, we hear from Kimberly Sanabria. The 2026 Agnes Scott College graduating senior majored in chemistry and minored in artificial intelligence. Sanabria discusses her academic journey as a first-generation college student and her plans to pursue a career in pharmacy. 

<a href="https://dreamhack.com/atlanta/">DreamHack</a> returns to the Georgia World Congress Center on Friday for three days of&nbsp;
competitive gaming, esports entertainment, indie game showcases, cosplay championship, live entertainment and more. Special guests include NBA Hall of Famer <a href="https://dreamhack.com/atlanta/guest/dwight-howard/">Dwight Howard</a> and Atlanta-based cosplayer and designer <a href="https://dreamhack.com/atlanta/guest/yaya-han/">Yaya Han</a>. On Thursday&rsquo;s edition of <a href="https://www.wabe.org/podcasts/closer-look/">&ldquo;Closer Look,&rdquo;</a> Han and Nordlander joined the program to share more about the history of DreamHack and what attendees can expect this weekend.
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Plus, the legendary rock band <a href="https://theblackcrowes.com/">The Black Crowes</a> just released their 10th studio album,<a href="https://shop.theblackcrowes.com/products/a-pound-of-feathers-cd"> &ldquo;A Pound of Feathers</a>.&rdquo; Brothers Chris and Rich Robinson, who are Atlanta natives, are currently traveling for their global tour, the"Southern Hospitality Tour." Rose talks with guitarist and vocalist Rich Robinson, ahead of the band&rsquo;s performances in Alpharetta on May 23 and in Augusta on June 4.
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Lastly, for <a href="https://www.wabe.org/podcasts/closer-look/">&ldquo;Closer Look&rsquo;s&rdquo;</a> annual<a href="https://www.wabe.org/georgia-gwinnett-college-graduate-turns-personal-growth-into-public-health-purpose/"> graduation series</a>, we hear from <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DL2ofPPRDbZ/">Kimberly Sanabria</a>. The 2026 Agnes Scott College graduating senior majored in chemistry and minored in artificial intelligence. <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DL2ofPPRDbZ/">Sanabria</a> discusses her academic journey as a first-generation college student and her plans to pursue a career in pharmacy.&nbsp;

DreamHack 2026 to bring global gaming community to Atlanta; The Black Crowes still rocking with new album and tour; Agnes Scott College 2026 graduate 

In an interview with Closer Look host Rose Scott, Jean Douglass, CEO of the DeKalb County–based Women’s Resource Center to End Domestic Violence, marks her nonprofit’s 40th anniversary, shares the origin of the organization and the assistance they’ve provided. She also shares why they’re changing the name to, In Safe Company.

 

Then, Avanti Moore is the latest graduate to join Closer Look for our graduation series. She shares her challenges, as well as her accomplishments as a campus leader, and how she persevered to graduate from Georgia Gwinnett College.  

In an interview with <a href="https://www.wabe.org/podcasts/closer-look/">Closer Look</a> host Rose Scott, Jean Douglass, CEO of the DeKalb County&ndash;based <a href="https://www.wrcdv.org/">Women&rsquo;s Resource Center to End Domestic Violence</a>, marks her nonprofit&rsquo;s 40th anniversary, shares the origin of the organization and the assistance they&rsquo;ve provided. She also shares why they&rsquo;re changing the name to, In Safe Company.
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Then, <a href="https://www.ggc.edu/about-ggc/news/georgia-gwinnett-college-health-sciences-grad-embraced-change-to-earn-degree">Avanti Moore</a> is the latest graduate to join Closer Look for our graduation series. She shares her challenges, as well as her accomplishments as a campus leader, and how she persevered to graduate from <a href="https://www.ggc.edu/">Georgia Gwinnett College. &nbsp;</a>

How PTSD impacts first responders and how HB 451 could help

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