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This week's episode is a chat with Stephanie Samuels, the Founder of COPLINE. Just an FYI...there were some technical difficulties throughout, where the Zoom dropped and there will be a few moments of silence.

Stephanie is a Psychotherapist who has worked exclusively with cops since the 1990s and is part of a National research team looking into the role concussions play in the mental health of LEOS, as well as the potential connection to suicide.

I was BLOWN AWAY by Stephanie and this conversation, and have 3 pages of notes to prove it! You are going to want to listen and take notes. She explains how in the 1980s she debated being a cop, but after riding with LAPD, decided she did not have the courage to do the job...but wanted to support those who do it. She talks about starting to work with cops and what she did to become culturally competent.

Sometimes things happen for a reason and even come full circle. For example, in high school, Stephanie was part of a nationwide teen hotline...which is where learned the power of Peer Support...and where she got the idea to start COPLINE.

If you don't know, COPLINE is a confidential, international hotline for active/retired cops...and their families...with calls answered by strictly vetted retired cops. Stephanie stated COPLINE receives 250-350 calls a month and when I asked if the hotline was only for those in crisis and considering suicide or also for those struggling with something. She stated 95% of their calls are people just having a bad day...3-3.5% of the calls are after a critical incident, and 1-1.5% of the calls are suicidal.

After discussing COPLINE and the incredible resource it is, we dove into research Stephanie has been working on with the Concussion Legacy Foundation, regarding Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE). It was FASCINATING to say the least. "Maybe it's not YOU. Maybe it's your brain." Our brains can take thousands of beatings throughout our lifetimes...including contact sports as children then as cops...not always ending in a concussion, but that does not mean that it should be ignored.

You can best connect with Stephanie through the COPLINE website or via her email, ccidc63@gmail.com

Whether you are in crisis or having a bad day...you can always reach COPLINE by calling 1-800-267-5463.

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