Hi Patrick, I really appreciate you writing this and offering up your perspective. I think too often police officers are viewed only as the bad guys, but I know many, many police officers agree with you. Sharing your story is such a big help in getting rid of the stigma that individuals struggling with mental illness face on a daily basis.

I do have some food for thought, though. If you have time, please read this article: http://commonhealth.wbur.org/2014/01/renounce-term-the-mentally-ill I share the author’s opinion that using the term “the mentally ill” can serve to further stigmatize an individual afflicted with a mental illness. For instance, we never say the cancerous ones or the diabetes people. A person is so much more than his or her mental illness. I’d like to hear your thoughts. I think that you are in a public position, and you will have many opportunities to educate and change hearts and minds. Thanks for what you do.