College Celebrates First Responder Graduates of Applied Mental Health Certificate Program

St. Petersburg College recently celebrated the graduation of 13 law enforcement professionals from its Applied Mental Health Advanced Technical Certificate program at the Allstate Center.

The event marked the completion of the program’s second cohort, comprised of active-duty officers, detectives, sergeants and lieutenants from agencies across Tampa Bay, including the St. Petersburg, Tampa, Largo and Bradenton police departments, as well as the Tampa International Airport Police. The year-long program is designed to equip officers with tools to manage job-related stress, support their peers and respond to mental health crises in the field and within their departments.

SPC President Dr. Tonjua Williams commended the graduates for leading with purpose and compassion.

“Today, we honor more than academic achievement. We honor a shift in how we support those who protect us,” Williams said. “This program reflects a bold truth. That truth is that mental health is not secondary. It is central to public safety. Our officers face extraordinary challenges, and they deserve tools to navigate those moments with resilience, empathy and strength. At SPC, we believe education should empower. And this program does just that. It gives officers the skills to lead with compassion, respond with insight, and build trust where it is needed most.”

Changing the narrative

The mental health challenges facing first responders continue to grow. According to national data and recently highlighted by FOX 13 Tampa Bay, law enforcement officers experience elevated rates of PTSD, depression and suicide—conditions often worsened by stigma and limited access to care. Suicide rates among officers remain nearly double those of the general population. Programs like SPC’s Applied Mental Health Certificate are designed to change that narrative, offering officers practical tools, trauma-informed knowledge and long-term support strategies.

Graduates of the program are now qualified to serve as mental health liaisons within their agencies. Each has committed to a minimum of three years in this role, offering peer support and contributing to healthier, more responsive law enforcement environments.

As part of their final project, the second cohort created a centralized First Responder Resources website, hosted by SPC, to support the mental health and wellness of their peers and the broader public safety community.

The site includes regional and national support services, peer-reviewed guidance, and tools for early intervention. They also produced public education materials like a prevention rack card—a quick-reference flyer promoting mental health awareness and de-escalation techniques in the field.

Collaboration and partnership

Dr. Brandy Benson, CEO and chief psychologist of Tampa Bay Psychology Associates, delivered the ceremony’s keynote address. As a recognized expert in public safety psychology, Benson spoke to the graduating class and their families, expressing her understanding and pride in their challenging positions.

Sasha Lohn, general counsel and executive director of the Sun Coast Police Benevolent Association, also delivered remarks. Lohn reflected on the emotional and professional significance of the program, telling graduates, “The way you serve your community, you deserve to be served back. You deserve to be poured back into.” Quoting Maya Angelou, she reminded officers that, while actions and words may fade, the feeling one leaves behind makes a lasting impact. She emphasized the power of combining frontline experience with academic training, saying it is the greatest privilege of her life to work alongside them. “Our first responders deserve to have mental health counselors like you,” she said. “You've made us feel so proud of the work you do.”

Lohn and Jonathan Vazquez, president of the Suncoast PBA, were among the local leaders who helped establish the certificate program in collaboration with SPC officials and with support from St. Petersburg Police Chief Anthony Holloway. State legislators also played a critical role in securing funding to bring the program to life.

Also in attendance were college leaders, faculty and supporters of the program, including representatives from the Pepin Family Foundation. The Pepin Family Foundation and the Tampa Bay Area Chiefs of Police Foundation fully fund the tuition for the courses in the three-semester program.

During the ceremony, the graduating class presented SPC faculty with a handcrafted wooden plaque featuring symbols representing police, fire and EMS. Graduating officers gave the plaque as a gesture of thanks and appreciation for the faculty’s guidance and served as a symbol of solidarity among all first responders. The thoughtful gift highlighted the strong bonds formed over the course of the program and the officers’ shared commitment to mental wellness.

Dr. Williams closed the ceremony by praising the graduating class and SPC faculty: “To our graduates: You are pioneers. You have chosen to lead differently—to prioritize wellness alongside duty. You are guardians of safety and stewards of healing. Your courage inspires us, and your commitment uplifts us and the communities that you serve.”