In a continued effort to focus on the mental health of first responders, Sheriff Chad Chronister has put together a team of chaplains to counsel deputies and civilian employees who are struggling with mental health and other issues in life.
The volunteer chaplains are made up of local religious leaders from multiple faiths, including Christianity and Judaism. Each of the nine chaplains underwent an extensive background and interview process and received training specific to working within a law enforcement agency.
"Being a first responder is an extremely stressful and taxing job. We are working every day to remove the stigma behind asking for help and talking to someone when you're struggling. It's critical that we have support systems like our chaplain program in place," said Sheriff Chad Chronister. "Our hearts go out to the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office, who announced the loss of one of their deputies to suicide this morning, and the family of the deputy. It is heartbreaking anytime we lose one of our own as a law enforcement officer, but especially in such a preventable way. I am pleading with any first responder who is struggling to please speak up and ask for help. It's OK not to be OK."
Video of the new HCSO chaplains can be viewed on the HCSO Sheriff YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KT6EgEcLd4k&feature=youtu.be