Protecting Those Who Protect Us: Officers Graduate from Groundbreaking Mental Health Program

As Officer Suicides Climb, Graduates Take Steps to Save Lives and Change the Future of Policing

More police officers die by suicide than in the line of duty. Behind the badge, many carry invisible wounds—and far too often, they suffer in silence. But a growing movement in Tampa Bay is changing that.

Tonight, law enforcement officers from around Tampa Bay walked across the stage as the second graduating class of the Sun Coast Police Benevolent Association Applied Mental Health Advanced Technical Certificate for First Responders program at St. Petersburg College (SPC). Each has a story of resilience, and a mission to ensure that no first responder faces mental health challenges alone.

This year’s class includes graduates from St. Petersburg Police Department, Tampa Police Department, Tampa International Airport, Largo Police Department, and Bradenton Police Department—each driven by deeply personal experiences:

• Detective Stephanie Blitz, Largo PD: A seasoned hostage negotiator, found herself in an unimaginable position when her husband was involved in an officer-involved shooting—and she had to negotiate the scene. She says it highlights the importance of support after critical incidents for officers and their families.
• Officer Angie Torres, TPD: A U.S. Marine Corps veteran now serving in the department’s Behavioral Health Unit, she is passionate about expanding wellness resources for officers. She plans to pursue a master’s degree in counseling to further support her fellow officers and military veterans.
• Retired Captain David DiSano, Tampa International Airport: Enrolled in the program in memory of several friends and co-workers he lost to suicide.

“I enrolled in this class to honor their legacy,” DiSano said. “We’re not just getting tools—we’re changing the way we take care of people—on the job, at home, and in the community.”

Developed to expand on the mental health resources offered by local law enforcement agencies, this first-of-its-kind certificate program was a brainchild of Sun Coast Police Benevolent Association President Jonathan Vazquez and Executive Director/General Counsel Sasha Lohn, Esq.,based on their lived experiences supporting officers facing mental health challenges. In collaboration, and with legislative support from State Rep. Linda Chaney and Sen. Ed Hooper, the college developed and implemented the academic pathway, prioritizing the mental health needs of law enforcement officers. Tuition for the six specialized courses in this three-semester program is fully funded thanks to this partnership and the continued support of the Pepin Family Foundation and Tampa Bay Area Chiefs of Police Foundation.

“This isn’t just a graduation—it’s a powerful step toward saving lives and strengthening our communities,” said Tina Pepin, Executive Director of the Pepin Family Foundation. “Officers are trained to respond in crisis, but too often, they’re expected to carry that weight alone. We believe when officers are educated and trained in mental and physical resilience, they’re better prepared to care for themselves, their families, and the people they serve. This program is already improving lives across Tampa Bay.”

For many, the course is about more than education—it’s about survival and rewriting the narrative that strength means staying silent.

“While I was deployed, I lost friends in combat; and as hard as that was, you go to war with a certain expectation that people may die. What I didn’t expect was how many of my peers would safely return home only to later die by suicide,” said Jonathan Vazquez. “Law enforcement culture is a lot like military culture. We need to talk about the hard things we see, hear, smell. We need to help each other.”

“At St. Petersburg College, we believe education is a powerful tool for change, and this program is a testament to that,” said Dr. Latresha Bighem-Moore, SPC Human Services Program Director. “These graduates are taking what they’ve learned and using it to transform their agencies, their communities, and themselves—and that’s how we build a stronger, healthier future for everyone.”

Dr. Brandy Benson, CEO & Chief Psychologist of the Tampa Bay Psychology Associates, served as the keynote speaker. A licensed clinical psychologist and nationally recognized leader in First Responder behavioral health and wellness, Dr. Benson has spent 15 years working alongside law enforcement and fire agencies across Florida to promote positive change in the field of First Responder mental health.

“Each officer who completes this program is not only changing their own life—they’re helping to shift the culture of law enforcement,” said Greg Mertz, Tampa Bay Area Chiefs of Police Foundation President. “This is how we stop trauma, burnout, and suicide from spiraling. This is how we protect the people who protect us.”

This fall, the cohort plans to share what they’ve learned by distributing a custom challenge coin to first responders in Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Manatee counties. The front of the coin reads “First to Respond, Last to Ask for Help” with “We Fight as a Family, You are Never Alone” on the back as a symbol of solidarity and support for mental health. Each coin will be accompanied by a card and QR code linking to a vetted list of mental health resources specifically for first responders. A $5,000 donation from the Pepin Family Foundation is helping expand the reach of this important initiative.

About Pepin Family Foundation

The Pepin Family Foundation is a family-led nonprofit focused on healthcare, education, and mental health and wellness services for frontline professionals. From its support of students with disabilities at Pepin Academies to its groundbreaking cardiac care at Pepin Heart Institute, the foundation’s initiatives embody a commitment to creating a stronger, healthier Tampa Bay. For more information, visit PepinFamilyFoundation.org.

Additional class members:

Bradenton Police Department

• Officer Jordan Poulos, Bradenton PD: With 18 years of service and as a homeless outreach officer, he sees firsthand how mental health challenges impact both the community and law enforcement. After losing a close friend and fellow officer to suicide, he joined the program to ensure officers continue to feel supported when seeking help, providing peer support, resources, and encouragement when they need it most.

Largo Police Department

• Officer Alex Rocha, Largo PD: As a Mental Health Officer, he believes that supporting officers’ emotional, physical, and psychological health is essential to serving the community effectively. By completing the program, he hopes to encourage fellow officers to prioritize wellness and resilience throughout their careers.

St. Petersburg Police Department

• Officer Alyson Conley, SPPD: With two years on the job, she is committed to building resilience early in her career. She joined the program to strengthen her wellness and help shape a culture of support for the next generation of officers.
• Officer Michelle Fotovat, SPPD: With 18 years of service, she knows mental wellness is essential to sustaining a long, healthy career in law enforcement. She enrolled in the program to add new tools to her skillset and to support her peers in prioritizing their well-being.
• Detective Rachel Hunter, SPPD: Services in the Internet Crimes Against Children Unit, where cases can weigh heavily on mental health. She took part in the program to ensure she can continue serving others while also prioritizing her own well-being.
• Detective Jill Ryan, SPPD: Through her role in the Special Victim’s Unit, she understands the importance of mental resilience in law enforcement. She joined the program to help build a healthier future for herself and her colleagues.
• Officer Dominique King, SPPD: With eight years of service, including work as a crisis negotiator, he has seen how critical it is to maintain mental readiness in critical situations. He says the program has given him practical tools he can use every day, both on and off duty.
• Officer Melissa Kobonin, SPPD:With four years on the force, she sees the value in starting conversations about wellness early in a law enforcement career. She completed the program to help raise awareness around prioritizing mental health in policing.

Tampa Police Department

• Lieutenant Roni Hill, TPD: Leading the department’s Peer Support Team, she knows officers can sometimes carry silent burdens while protecting the community. She joined the program to learn strategies that help officers address challenges and proactively build resilience.
• Sergeant Sarah Michelson, TPD: With 20 years of service, she understands that maintaining mental wellness is key to a long and impactful law enforcement career. She enrolled in the program to gain new tools and to help foster a culture where officers continue to feel supported in prioritizing their health.