Protecting Those Who Protect Us: St. Pete Police Officers Receive Mental Health Challenge Coins
As Officer Suicides Climb, Graduates Take Steps to Save Lives and Change the Future of Policing
On World Mental Health Day, a new kind of badge of honor was handed out to St. Petersburg Police officers at this morning’s briefing—custom challenge coins designed to break the stigma and spark conversations about mental health in law enforcement. The coins, created by graduates of the Applied Mental Health Advanced Technical Certificate for First Responders, are now being distributed across Tampa Bay as part of a first-of-its kind mental wellness initiative.
Across the United States, more police officers die by suicide than in the line of duty. Behind the badge, many carry invisible wounds from critical incidents, traumatic calls, and daily stresses of protecting the community. Traditionally, law enforcement culture has emphasized strength and resilience, often leaving officers hesitant to seek help. These coins serve as a symbol and a practical tool for encouraging officers to prioritize their mental health and support each other.
The Sun Coast Police Benevolent Association (PBA) partnered with St. Petersburg College to launch the mental health program for first responders in 2023, with support from the Pepin Family Foundation and Tampa Bay Area Chiefs of Police Foundation. The program offers free college-level courses focused on mental health awareness with resources tailored to first responders.
The program’s second class graduated in July and included thirteen officers from the St. Petersburg Police Department, Tampa Police Department, Tampa International Airport Police, Largo Police Department, and Bradenton Police Department. Beyond completing rigorous coursework, the graduates developed a capstone project centered on peer-to-peer support in law enforcement.
Graduates designed a custom challenge coin that reads:
- Front: First to Respond, Last to Ask for Help
- Back: We Fight as a Family, You Are Never Alone
Each coin includes a QR code linking to a current list of vetted mental health resources.
“These coins are more than just metal. They represent connection, courage, and compassion,” said Detective Rachel Hunter of the St. Petersburg Police Department, who helped spearhead the challenge coin project. “Every time an officer carries or shares one, it’s a reminder that asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Regardless of the uniform we wear or the duties we hold, we are all a family—and we’ll always support one another.”
The Pepin Family Foundation provided funding for the production and distribution of the coins, ensuring that graduates can share them with peers across Pinellas, Hillsborough, and Manatee counties.
“Supporting the mental health and wellness of those who protect us is deeply personal to our family,” said Tina Pepin, Executive Director of the Pepin Family Foundation. “By putting mental health front and center with these coins, this initiative transforms a long-standing law enforcement tradition into a movement for change—one that starts conversations, saves lives, and creates lasting impact on first responder culture.”
The coins are available for Sun Coast PBA members at its Clearwater office or by contacting firstrespondercoins727@gmail.com. Coin creators hope they’ll reach first responders, including law enforcement, firefighters, and EMS providers, across the country.
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.