Local organization discusses impact of trauma on our heroes in first-ever conference
HENDERSON, Ky. (WFIE) - Dozens of law enforcement officers, veterans and first responders came together at the Preston Arts Center for a 9-hour conference on Tuesday.
It was hosted by Defending Heroes Project, a nonprofit organization based out of Henderson that helps our heroes in uniform with trauma, PTSD and suicide.
This conference had the same purpose.
“Our organization has been about mental health of our heroes, we lose far too many to the demons of the job,” said founder Joe Whitledge.
To give you an idea, we lose an average of 17 veterans every day who take their own life.
That’s according to the 2023 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Report.
“We lose far more first responders to their own hand than being killed in the line of duty,” said Whitledge.
Including people right here in the Tri-State.
“We’ve got to do something about it so I want to make sure not only locally but even state and nationally, we’re not stopping,” said Whitledge.
He says that means ending the negative stigma around asking for help in their field.
“I want them to know first off ‘Hey we can talk about it. Hey, there is help for that,’” said Whitledge.
One of the speakers, former police officer Matthew Griffin is living proof of that.
About seven years ago Griffin was homeless, says the trauma from his job ate away at him and his partner had recently committed suicide.
“I went down that path as well and wrote my suicide note and my four boys almost grew up without a dad because of everything we saw inside of law enforcement,” said Griffin.
About seven years later, and Griffin is alive, standing on stage at the Preston Arts Center speaking to dozens of police officers, firefighters, first responders, and veterans to give them hope there’s light at the end of the tunnel for them too.
“This is the first step,” said Griffin. “Letting first responders in your community out here and telling them, it’s okay, it’s okay to not be okay.”
The event was free to attend.
If you are a veteran, first responder, police officer, firefighter or are in the military and struggle with any type of trauma, you can reach out to the Defending Heroes Project organization through their website here.
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