SPC Launches Tactical Mental Health Resiliency Course for First Responders

St. Petersburg College will host Tactical Mental Health Resiliency, a first-of-its-kind, two-day workshop designed by first responders for first responders to address the mental health challenges unique to public safety. The free training, supported by the Pepin Family Foundation and the Tampa Bay Chiefs of Police Foundation, will be held Aug. 27-28 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the SPC Clearwater Campus, 2465 Drew St.

The inaugural course filled to capacity, creating a waitlist and underscoring the growing demand for peer-led mental health training. To preserve a confidential environment where participants can openly discuss personal experiences and sensitive topics, the training sessions will be closed to media. Media are invited to attend at the conclusion of training on Thursday, Aug. 27, at 5 p.m. for interviews with facilitators and attendees.

MEDIA OPPORTUNITY

• What: Interviews with Tactical Mental Health Resiliency facilitators and attendees
• When: Thursday, Aug. 27 at 5 p.m.
• Where: SPC Clearwater Campus, 2465 Drew St., Clearwater
• Media Setup: ES 102
• Interviews: Facilitators and attendees will be available in ES 104

Developed as the capstone project for the College's third Applied Mental Health Certificate for First Responders cohort, the peer-led course equips participants with practical strategies to recognize cumulative stress and trauma, build resilience, strengthen peer support and develop healthy coping skills. The training is taught by sergeants, officers, detectives, a chaplain and other graduates of SPC's nine-month certificate program.

"This course represents exactly what we hoped to achieve through the Applied Mental Health Certificate," said Dr. Kim Molinaro, program director. "Our students recognized the need for practical mental health training delivered by people who understand the realities of the profession. Together, we created a course that gives first responders the tools to build resilience, support one another and help change the culture surrounding mental health in public safety."

The curriculum was developed by graduates Sgt. Lenshawn Price, Sgt. Corey Lenczden, Sgt. Pete Palm and Officer Manny Laurent. Lenczden, a 25-year police veteran, enrolled after losing a close friend and fellow officer to suicide.

"We were taught to compartmentalize everything we saw. Over time, you realize that's not a long-term solution," said Lenczden.

SPC launched Florida's first Applied Mental Health Certificate for First Responders in partnership with the Sun Coast Police Benevolent Association. The program is sponsored by the Pepin Family Foundation and the Tampa Bay Area Chiefs of Police Foundation, whose funding helps ensure law enforcement officers can access the course at no cost. The certificate equips law enforcement officers and other emergency personnel with specialized mental health training that promotes personal wellness, peer support and community resilience.

The Tactical Mental Health Resiliency course is open to law enforcement, fire rescue, EMS, corrections and dispatch personnel. For more information or to join the waitlist for future offerings, visit SPC Public Safety Training Center or the Tactical Mental Health Resiliency event page.