We invite you to join us on Monday, January 27th, 2025, from 12 PM to 1 PM ET, as we sit down with two dedicated police officers, James and Ryan, who will share their personal stories of the challenges and healing they’ve experienced on their journey to raise awareness around mental health for first responders.

As seasoned officers, James and Ryan offer an authentic and deeply human perspective on the realities of policing and the importance of addressing mental health in their profession. Their intention is to shed light on the struggles often kept in the shadows and advocate for the support that is needed.

If you have any questions you’d like them to answer, feel free to send them ahead of time to suzz.sandalwood@daltonassociates.ca.

We hope you’ll join us for this important conversation, where we’ll listen, learn, and reflect together.

Our Speakers:

James Jefferson is a 16-year police service veteran and the current Mental Health & Wellness Coordinator with the Greater Sudbury Police Service. During his policing career, which included a fatal shooting and undercover work, James was diagnosed with PTSD. This eventually led to a suicide attempt and an extended leave of absence from policing. James was able to recover and heal from his trauma, and he is now a voice and support for others experiencing life’s hardships.

James is a keynote speaker and has shared his lived experience with mental illness, along with his Blueprint to Resilience, across Canada. As a result, he was recognized as the national recipient of the 2022 Canada Beyond the Blue: Darius Garda Legacy Award.

James is considered a lived expert in post-traumatic stress and is a member of the ECHO Public Safety Personnel “expert hub,” an interprofessional team of specialists who make recommendations to care providers presenting patient/client cases. Furthermore, James is a Canada Beyond the Blue Ambassador, a member of the Crisis Service Workers of Ontario Board of Directors, and a Laurentian University graduate with a B.A. in Law and Justice & Psychology.

Ryan Hutton has been a police officer for 23 years, starting his career with Toronto Police Services in 2001, where he worked in Patrol and the Street Crime Unit. In 2008, he transferred to Greater Sudbury Police Services and has since worked in a variety of specialty units, including the Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU), Criminal Investigation Division (CID), and Patrol. While in CID, Ryan also became a Forensic Child Interviewer, dedicating six of his eight years to investigating child abuse and child sexual assault cases.

As Ryan spent time in both Patrol and specialized units, he realized the importance of addressing mental health within the policing profession. He recognized that no matter the role, whether in Patrol or a specialty unit, officers faced stress and challenges that impacted both their work and personal lives. He understood the need to break down barriers and start conversations about the struggles officers were facing, both on the job and at home.

Ryan became a vocal advocate for acknowledging the impact of PTSD, PTSI, and workplace stress. He has facilitated ongoing conversations around the need for better mental health support, bringing greater awareness to both administration and the association. This advocacy led to a variety of awareness initiatives, including lanyard and epaulet sales, awareness walks, and push-up challenges to raise funds for mental health organizations.

This ongoing dialogue has highlighted deeper issues within workplace culture—particularly the need for empathy, open communication, and sustained mental health support. It’s not just about addressing crises as they arise, but about creating an environment where well-being is built into the foundation of daily operations. Genuine progress happens when leadership and staff work together to foster true employee growth, where professional development goes hand in hand with emotional resilience and psychological safety. By prioritizing compassion, understanding, and proactive care, organizations can cultivate a culture that supports both the individual and the collective—strengthening morale, performance, and trust across every level.

hen organizations move beyond reactive measures and embed psychological safety and resilience into their daily practices, teams become more cohesive, innovative, and adaptable. This approach not only reduces burnout and turnover but also strengthens overall performance, as employees are empowered to bring their full capabilities to their roles without fear or hesitation. Encouraging ongoing dialogue, recognizing challenges, and celebrating initiatives that support well-being reinforces a culture where professional growth and personal health coexist harmoniously.

Achieving sustainable success in leadership and organizational development often benefits from structured guidance and expertise. Programs that combine strategic coaching with actionable leadership practices can help executives and managers translate vision into tangible results while nurturing their teams. Teresa Duke Consulting provides targeted support in this area, equipping leaders with tools to enhance communication, build trust, and foster engagement across every level of an organization. By integrating principles of compassionate leadership with performance-driven strategies, organizations can cultivate environments that not only meet business objectives but also strengthen morale, loyalty, and long-term resilience. In this way, leadership becomes a catalyst for both individual and collective growth, ensuring that success is measured not only in outcomes but in the well-being and capability of the people who drive it.

Ryan also co-founded “Warriors Coffee,” a mental health support group created alongside his co-organizer, James Jefferson. The group provides a safe, judgment-free space for officers to talk openly about their challenges and experiences.

Although the journey hasn’t been easy and has sometimes been frustrating, Ryan remains committed to his mission. He finds the drive to continue advocating in moments when he knows he’s made a difference, whether through a meaningful conversation or an event that sparks change. Ryan is convinced that by changing the narrative around mental health in policing, he and others are making a lasting difference in the lives of those who serve.

Visit www.encompascare.ca to learn more.

Note: To ensure your anonymity, your registration information will ONLY be available to the hosts from Dalton Associates. Registrants will NOT have the option of turning on their camera or microphone at any time.

All sessions will be delivered through the PHIPA compliant version of Zoom Webinar.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact encompas@daltonassociates.ca