Mead Police Department receives health services grant

February 15, 2023--The Mead Police Department received a $19,200 grant from the Colorado Department of Local Affairs for the purpose of providing behavioral health services to police officers and their families.

“First responders have a daunting job. Every assignment comes with the possibility of trauma, injury, or death, all in service to our community,” explained Mayor Colleen Whitlow. “The mental health and wellness of law enforcement officers has been neglected for far too long. I commend Chief Newbanks and Commander Smith for prioritizing the health of our Mead officers and their families.”

The Peace Officers Behavioral Health Support and Community Partnerships grant program within the Department of Local Affairs has been assisting public safety organizations with behavior health services since 2018. A 2020 assessment by the Training and Research Institute for Public Safety found that law enforcement personnel were five times more likely to suffer from severe depression, twenty-five times more likely to die from heart disease, and nine to ten times more likely to be screened for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, when compared to the general population. Additionally, officer suicide rates exceed the number of officers killed in the line of duty.

“I am fortunate and honored to be at an agency and in a community that values the overall wellness of law enforcement,” said Commander Brian Smith. “Our goal is to defy the statistics and provide support and resources to our officers so they can live healthy lives, with their families.”

Mead Police Department will utilize the grant funding through a partnership with First Responder Trauma Counselors. FRTC specializes in providing licensed counselors with previous experience as first responders, critical incident processing, and stress reduction techniques. They also provide access to a network of regional peer support services for both law enforcement personnel and their families.                              

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