Completion Ceremony held for Applied Mental Health Certificate Graduates

SPC is hosting a completion ceremony for the first cohort for the Applied Mental Health Advanced Technical Certificate. The College is celebrating the achievements of the first cohort of active police officers who are completing the Applied Mental Health Advanced Technical Certificate on Monday, July 22 at 3 p.m. at SPC’s Allstate Center, 3200 34^th St. S., St. Petersburg. Lt. Col. Dave Grossman will give the Keynote Address and Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody will also deliver remarks.

The program’s success is also thanks to the Sun Coast PBA and The Chief of Police Association’s participation and the first round of funding from state funds and the Pepin Family Foundation.

“Serving those who serve has been a priority for the Pepin family for many decades. I share this passion and have chosen to prioritize my time and our foundation’s resources toward mental health and resiliency programs for first responders and front-line professionals,” said Tina Pepin, Pepin Family Foundation Executive Director. “In order for our LEOs to protect and serve to the best of their ability, we must protect and serve them not only through the betterment of public perception but by supporting programs designed to strengthen their mental and physical health on and off the field. The Applied Mental Health Advanced Technical Certificate Program is a part of the solution our community needs, and we are proud to re-commit to cover the officer’s tuition costs for the second year in a row, creating agents of change alongside The Tampa Bay Area COP Foundation, The Sun Coast PBA and St. Petersburg College.”

Lt. Col. Dave Grossman

Lt. Col. Dave Grossman is a former U.S. Army Ranger, paratrooper, and West Point psychology professor. For the last 25-plus years, Grossman has been a leading voice to military and law enforcement men and women across the country and has shared his Bulletproof Mind presentation that provides tools to enable mental resiliency. Today, Grossman is the director of Grossman On Truth, LLC. In the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, he has written and spoken extensively on the terrorist threat, with articles published in the Harvard Journal of Law and Public Policy and many leading law enforcement journals. He has been inducted as a “Life Diplomate” by the American Board for Certification in Homeland Security and a “Life Member” of the American College of Forensic Examiners Institute.

Attorney General Moody, a fifth-generation Floridian, was born and raised in Plant City. She attended the University of Florida where she earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in accounting and law degree. She later attended Stetson University College of Law earning a Masters of Law in International Law. Since taking, she has been recognized as a leader having served as a Commissioner on the Presidential Commission on Law Enforcement and the Administration of Justice, as Chair of Florida’s Statewide Task Force on Opioid Abuse, and continues to serve as Chair of Florida’s Statewide Council on Human Trafficking.

Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody

Mental health, especially in first responders, is an often overlooked, yet prevalent, issue. A 2022 study from the Ruderman Family Foundation found that one in three law enforcement officers experience symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder during their careers. The same study also reveals a higher suicide rate for police officers than deaths in the line of duty.

“There is no book that can teach you what being a law enforcement officer is like— you experience the highest highs and the lowest lows,” said Jonathan Vazquez, Sun Coast PBA President. “An officer who needs help is much more likely to talk to a therapist who knows, from experience, what this job sounds like, smells like, and feels like. The best way to make sure that happens is to stock this community with mental health professionals who have law enforcement experience.”

“We are dedicated to offering comprehensive academic mental health training for our law enforcement officers, aiming to enhance community outcomes and support the mental well-being of officers,” said Dr. Joseph Smiley, Dean of Social & Behavioral Sciences and Human Services at SPC. “We are proud of the inaugural group of outstanding officers who have completed the Applied Mental Health Certificate Program, and we look forward to providing this opportunity to a new group of officers in the upcoming fall.”

Nearly four years after the initial Ruderman report in 2018, the numbers haven’t changed much, but the stresses of our society have only increased. There is an urgent need for change in our law enforcement culture to create more robust mental health support systems for our officers in need. This certification equips officers with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate the complexities of mental health and provides their fellow officers with an additional resource to turn to during times of need.

“As a former law enforcement officer and mental health therapist who works with first responders, it has been amazing to work with this inaugural cohort in the Mental Health Certificate program,” said Dr. Meredith Moran, Program Coordinator at SPC. “As faculty and staff, we have learned so much from these officers about what they need to make positive mental health changes in their agencies and help their peers.  I hope that SPC can serve as a templet for the nation on how real change can be made in the state of mental health for our first responders.”

The inaugural 2024 graduating class comprises 14 police officers, detectives, sergeants, commanders, and corporals from St. Petersburg, Gulfport, Tampa, and Clearwater Police departments.

“Florida continues to find new ways to support the physical and mental health needs of our officers,” Moody said. “This inaugural class is now equipped to support those they serve alongside and help them deal with the invisible scars that often accompany the heroism of sacrifice and service.”

The Tampa Bay Area Chiefs of Police Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization. It is the fundraising arm of the Tampa Bay Area Chiefs of Police Association which is dedicated to all aspects of professional law enforcement,” said Greg Mertz, Tampa Bay Area Chief of Police Foundation President. “We believe that cooperative programs like the Law Enforcement Mental Health Certificate Program will enhance our communities which is served by the best professionals in law enforcement. We are thankful to Sun Coast PBA, the Pepin Family Foundation, St. Petersburg College, and to all our partners.”

The officers are:

St. Petersburg Police Department

• Officer Mariela Bakieva
• Officer Jeffery Cornelisse
• Sergeant Leonard Hasson
• Officer Dianeka Jones
• Officer Kaitlyn Larson
• Officer Stefani L’Esperance
• Detective Sidney VanTuy
• Officer Jonathan Schweiger

Gulfport Police Department

• Commander Mary Farrand
• Officer Arion Nieves

Tampa Airport Police Department

• Officer Angeliesse Nesterwitz
• Officer Stephanie Pascalli

Clearwater Police Department

• Detective Jonathan Vangeli

Tampa Police Department

• Corporal Randi Whitney

“It’s truly heartening to be a part of an initiative like the law enforcement mental health cohort. Mental health support for those in law enforcement is crucial given the unique challenges and stressors we face,” said Commander May Farrand of the Gulfport Police Department. “Having culturally competent and empathetic instructors like Dr. Moran, Dr. Moore, and Professor Molinaro can make all the difference in creating a safe space for officers to seek help, support, and ask questions. Their open-door policy and willingness to incorporate feedback from participants demonstrates a commitment to continually improving the program and ensuring it meets the needs of those it serves.”

The year-long program is designed to equip participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to manage job-related stressors effectively, as well as to assist fellow officers and community members facing mental health challenges. Throughout their training, officers develop a variety of skills, including:

• Emotional intelligence, counseling skills and interview techniques to effectively support individuals experiencing mental health crises.
• The ability to identify mental health issues in need of appropriate assessment in professional practice
• Access to resources to successfully navigate peers to a higher level of care, when needed.

“Law enforcement agencies are made up of regular people who are doing extraordinarily difficult and sometimes traumatizing work. They carry burdens most people cannot imagine.  When Jon and I began to notice the prevalence of mental health-related issues through our legal work with our law enforcement members, we wanted to do something about it,” said Sasha Lohn, Esq., Sun Coast PBA Executive Director and General Counsel. “This program is one step in the long walk towards properly caring for the law enforcement professionals who take care of all of us.  Notably, this college credit program is completely free to law enforcement officers because of Tina Pepin, the Pepin Family Foundation, and the Tampa Bay Area Chiefs of Police Foundation.”

Upon completion of the first cohort’s training, participants are now qualified to act as mental health liaisons within their respective agencies. This role offers an additional layer of support for fellow officers in need. The graduating officers have committed to serving in this capacity for a minimum of three years, ensuring sustained impact and continuous support within the law enforcement community.

“Mental health is a critical aspect of overall well-being for law enforcement officers.  It is essential to acknowledge and address the mental health needs of law enforcement officers to ensure they can perform their duties effectively and safely,” said Office Stephanie Pascalli of the Tampa Airport Police Department. “By providing robust mental health resources and support, we can help law enforcement officers maintain their well-being, improve their performance, and ensure they are equipped to serve and protect their communities effectively.  This SPC program has promoted a culture that values mental health, providing access to comprehensive mental health resources, and encouraged open discussions about mental wellness that aimed to support officers in leading balanced, healthy lives.”