Nov. 23, 2022

The Silent Epidemic in Police Officer Mental Health | S2 E47

In April 2016, Police Officer Adam A. Meyers was involved in a critical incident when he used deadly force against someone who armed themselves with a hatchet inside a busy department store.

In the aftermath of this incident, Meyers was plagued with trauma and guilt, descending into a spiral of depression and using alcohol, while isolating and withdrawing. This led Adam to create Stop the Threat – Stop the Stigma, a mission devoted to removing the stigmas around speaking openly about mental health within law enforcement.

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Responder Resilience

In April 2016, Police Officer Adam A. Meyers was involved in a critical incident when he used deadly force against someone who armed themselves with a hatchet inside a busy department store.

In the aftermath of this incident, Meyers was plagued with trauma and guilt, descending into a spiral of depression and using alcohol, while isolating and withdrawing. This led Adam to create Stop the Threat – Stop the Stigma, a mission devoted to removing the stigmas around speaking openly about mental health within law enforcement.

Adam is courageously candid and transparent not only about his traumatic incident, but also about his spiral down and subsequent recovery as he shares about the incident that changed his career and life, and why he decided to go public about his personal and professional mental health challenges related to this critical incident.

Adam A. MeyersProfile Photo

Adam A. Meyers

Former Police Officer | Founder, Stop the Threat – Stop the Stigma | Mental Health Advocate

In April 2016, Police Officer Adam A. Meyers was involved in a critical incident when he used deadly force against someone who armed themselves with a hatchet inside a busy Department store.

In the aftermath of this incident, Meyers was plagued with trauma and guilt, descending into a spiral of depression and using alcohol, while isolating and withdrawing. This led Adam to create Stop the Threat – Stop the Stigma, a mission devoted to removing the stigmas around speaking openly about mental health within law enforcement.

Adam's goal for establishing Stop The Threat - Stop The Stigma and speaking about his critical incident is to promote Law Enforcement Wellness and inspire other Law Enforcement Professionals, and those who work in the law enforcement profession, to speak about their own mental health.

Adam A. Meyers was a Police Officer and Detective in Wisconsin for 21 years. Adam began his Law Enforcement career in 2001 and was a five year active duty United States Army Military Policeman prior to 2001.

Prior to and during Adam's Law Enforcement career he was employed for about 10 years at Hospitals with Behavioral Health Units and Behavioral Health Services in Southeastern and Northwestern Wisconsin.

Adam is a Mental Health Advocate and takes every opportunity to speak about his personal and professional challenges with mental health after his 2016 on-duty deadly shooting. Adam is currently employed as an Emergency Mental Health Crisis Worker in Wisconsin.