Library Programming & Resources - Nicolet Federated Library System

Police Mental Health: Stop The Threat - Stop The Stigma

1/10/2022

Law enforcement, fire, corrections, communications. It's OK to talk about your mental health. Don't suffer in silence. Stop the threat. Stop the Stigma.

My name is Adam A. Meyers and I have been a Police Officer in Wisconsin for 20 years. In April 2016, I was on duty when I used deadly force against someone who had armed themselves with a hatchet in a busy Department store in Chippewa County, Wisconsin. Please contact me if you would like me to speak about my experience.

I have faced many personal and professional mental health challenges after my shooting and it has taken me about five years to get back on track. I would not be a police officer today without the unwavering support of my Family, Friends, Colleagues, complete Strangers, and Counselors.

In December 2020 I established Stop The threat - Stop The Stigma to serve as a platform to promote Law Enforcement Wellness. My overall goal for establishing Stop The Threat - Stop The Stigma is to speak about my experience and to inspire other Law Enforcement Professionals to speak about their own mental health challenges.

The issue of mental health is prominent everywhere and it is an issue that commands a new perspective. Without advocacy and awareness, we will continue to wait until the crisis stage to address mental health for Law Enforcement Professionals and by then it may be to late.

The Law Enforcement Culture tends to expect Law Enforcement Professionals to resist normal physiological responses to tragedies or critical incidents. This combination creates the perfect storm when Law Enforcement Professionals are not provided with the tools to deal with effects of the profession.

Adam Meyers speaker at criminal justice & rehabilitation conference

Lake Hallie officer still affected by Walmart shooting incident | University of Wisconsin - Stout (uwstout.edu)

Story / Video by WEA News in Eau Claire, Wisconsin: Officer turns personal struggles into mission to help fellow first responders (weau.com)

Officer Adam Meyers wearing vest that says

Story by the Leader Telegram in Eau Claire, Wisconsin: Lake Hallie police officer confronts mental health stigma | Local News | leadertelegram.com (Photo by Parker Reed)

Please contact me if you would like me to speak about my experience. You can learn more about Stop The Threat - Stop The Stigma at: http://www.stopthethreatstopthestigma.org

Let's work together to Stop The Threat - Stop The Stigma. Please share this (e-mail) with others. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Adam A. Meyers
13034 30th Avenue
Lake Hallie, Wisconsin 54729
Call/Text: (715) 869-3361
StopTheThreatStopTheStigma.org

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