“I haven’t been to the doctor in 18 years.”

As part of our Mental Health Awareness Series, we’re revisiting this powerful two-part conversation with Jason Cole.

In this episode, Jason walks through the early stages of his career, from law enforcement to crime scene investigations to latent print work and beyond. Like many in this field, he built his career on hard work, long hours, and a deep passion for the job.

But along the way, something else started to take shape.

A pattern that’s common in forensic science:✔️ Prioritizing work above everything else✔️ Ignoring personal health✔️ Constantly pushing through without slowing down

At the time, it doesn’t feel like a problem. It feels like dedication. Commitment. Doing what the job requires.

But over time, those habits can come at a cost.

This episode also explores how mental health was (or wasn’t) talked about earlier in the field—and how many professionals were conditioned to “just handle it” without support or space to process what they were experiencing.

🎧 In Part 1, we cover:

• Jason’s path into forensic science
• The culture of hard work and overcommitment
• Early perspectives on mental health in the field
• The subtle ways stress and imbalance start to build

🎙️ This is part of our Mental Health Awareness Series, where we’re revisiting impactful conversations around stress, burnout, and the realities of working in forensic science.