An organization called Badge2Badge is working to ensure that mental health among law enforcement professionals becomes an issue that is less taboo to discuss.
Badge2Badge is a peer support-oriented organization that welcomes first responders ranging from police officers to firefighters to corrections officers to dispatchers.
Last year, there were 154 known cases of law enforcement suicide across the country, according to Blue H.E.L.P. Six of those occurred in Colorado.
Badge2Badge holds support meetings where first responders can anonymously discuss the PTSD, trauma, grief, substance abuse and other issues associated with the profession.
Those are held on Sunday nights at 6 p.m. at the Firehouse Church at 3300 Tejon St. in Denver and Wednesday nights at 6 p.m. at the FO Building at 8400 Alcott St. in Westminster.
The Denver Sheriff Department said in a statement that it recognizes the need for mental health services, and offers an employee wellness program that includes a full-time wellness coordinator and physical therapist.
You can learn more about Badge2Badge here: badge2badge.com