Sep 18, 2021
2020 was a record year for suicides of police officers in America. There were 236 suicides and approximately 170 inline duty deaths. Officers know the risks of the job but suicide should NOT be one of them.
Scott Medlin has worked as a Police Officer since 2007. Prior to that, he was in the United States Marine Corps. He was deployed for Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003 and 2005. After an honorable discharge from the Marine Corps, he earned his Bachelor's degree and entered law enforcement.
Both as a police officer and a Marine, Scott had to face huge struggles including PTSD, depression, anxiety, and addiction.
In order to save his marriage, Scott had to resign from his job as a K9 officer which caused him deep resentment and despair - feeling like he lost his identity.
Since the lockdown, there has been an upsurge of mental health challenges in general, but also among police officers. Scott faced these challenges and now teaches others how to become aware of them and overcome them.
He has helped fellow officers keep marriages together, pull through during hard financial times, overcome depression, and provide encouragement when needed.
In Scott's interview, he shares the struggles and the triumphs of our law enforcement officers but also how we can use the same principles for better mental health no matter what our occupation.