For more than 12 years, Chris has had the honor to present to over 16,000 law enforcement officers across the United States and portions of Canada on the topics of suicide and depression warning signs, medication myths, department policy revision, and told of his personal experience with the stigma of mental health issues.  Chris has presented at many NAMI organized Crisis Intervention Team Trainings (CIT) where he addresses the subject of "Taking care of our own” and has been featured at various specialized law enforcement conferences advising departments on program development to assist officers at risk for suicide.  Feedback from these trainings shows just how well received Chris’s message is, how the topics of suicide and mental illness are rarely discussed openly within law enforcement, and how education and training are causing a paradigm shift within police departments.

Chris served for 10 years as member of the Wisconsin Law Enforcement Death Response (LEDR) Team, is a former trainer in QPR (Question, Persuade, and Refer) suicide prevention program, a FBI National Academy (FBINA) Enrichment Speaker, a FBI National Academy Associates (FBINAA) Officer Safety and Wellness Committee Member, and an active volunteer with BringChange2Mind; an organization founded by Actress Glenn Close to end the stigma surrounding mental illness.

​Chris was recognized with the 2017 HOPES Award for his achievements in advancing suicide prevention in law enforcement by Mental Health America – Wisconsin.

In 2018 Chris was presented with a National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Iris Award for his Outstanding Contributions, dedication, and support to promote the mission and vision of NAMI Wisconsin.

In May 2024 Chris was recognized by NAMI - Southeast Wisconsin with the "Shattering Stigma" award for his unwavering efforts to show that reaching out for help is a sign of strength and promoting open conversation surrounding mental health within law enforcement.

Chris resides in Hartford, Wisconsin with his wife Jennifer and their children Chase (20) and Ashlyn (17).​

 New Tools for Trauma: How SGB and Ketamine Are Reshaping Law Enforcement Mental Health

Session Description: 

Traditional mental health interventions often fall short for those on the front lines of service. But emerging neuroscience is reshaping how we treat trauma in first responders. This session explores two evidence-based, fast-acting treatments: Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB), a targeted nerve block that can reduce hyperarousal within minutes, and Ketamine-Assisted Therapy (KAT), a breakthrough intervention that enhances neuroplasticity and emotional processing.

Backed by peer-reviewed research and real-world results from veteran and first responder populations, SGB and KAT are offering rapid and sustained relief from PTSD, anxiety, depression, and chronic hypervigilance. We’ll explore how these therapies work, why they’re gaining traction as front-line tools for high-acuity stress, and what it means for the future of trauma care in law enforcement.

Bio: Molly Stanton, Business Development for Enthea, has spent over 19 years in the employee benefits industry, building one of the largest voluntary benefits agencies in the Philadelphia area and earning top awards for growth and leadership. But in 2021, everything changed when she lost her 10-year-old son in a tragic accident.

That loss led her down a personal path of healing-and into the world of trauma-focused therapies like Ketamine-Assisted Therapy (KAT) and Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB). Experiencing firsthand how powerful and life-changing these treatments can be, she shifted her focus toward educating others-especially first responders who are often left with few options and even less support.

Today, Molly works to raise awareness about these groundbreaking therapies within law enforcement circles, bringing together her business background and lived experience to advocate for those who serve and protect.

Topic: I Set out to Change the World!

Description: To   describe the impact of a law enforcement on individuals and subsequently on   intimate relationships.    

The goal of this panel is for the counselor attendees to better understand what a “day in the life” of a Police Officer looks like, what common stressors they face, and what they look for in a counselor as well as what would turn them away from counseling. 

Also, cops can ask questions to.

Lunch Moderator - Lucas Martin, MA-clinical trainee

Lucas is currently a Sheriff’s Deputy at the Dakota County Sheriff’s Office. Lucas started with Dakota County in 2017 where he worked as a Correctional Deputy for almost 2 years. He then became a licensed Deputy in June of 2019. Lucas was a School Resource Officer for 5 years, 4 of which were at a setting 4 special education school. He has been assigned to patrol since June of 2025. Lucas is a team lead for the peer support team, a member of the Coordinated Crisis Response unit, and a use of force and firearms instructor. Prior to his time at Dakota County, he was a Community Service Officer for the City of Burnsville for nearly 3 years. 

Lucas graduated from Adler Graduate School in December of 2024 with a degree in clinical mental health counseling. He is currently working part time at Life Development Resources in Lakeville and has been there since Spring of 2023. 

Lunch Panelists; 

Erin Holznagel

Erin Holznagel currently serves as the Public Safety Wellness Coordinator for the League of Minnesota Cities. In this role, she is responsible for promoting the health and well-being of Public Safety in MN and supports loss control efforts through education, legislation, partnerships, and research.

In addition to her work with the League, Erin has a background in both mental health and law enforcement. Since 2020, Erin has been working part time as a Licensed Associate Marriage and Family Therapist with a clinical focus on trauma. She has experience working with first responders and individuals navigating PTSD, anxiety, and depression.

Before entering the mental health field, Erin served as a police officer with the Burnsville Police Department for 12 years. During her time there, she held several specialized roles, including serving on the Use of Force Team, as a Crisis Negotiator, and as a member of both the Domestic Abuse Response Team and the Crisis Intervention Team.

Rachael Peterson MS LPCC LADC CCTP

Rachael Peterson has worked for 30 years in public safety, crisis work, training, and mental health. During Rachael’s 17 years in law enforcement (LE) her experiences included being a Sergeant, SWAT Team Leader, Negotiator, Critical Incident Facilitator, Peer Support Creator and Trainer. Rachael’s experience in LE has led her to her passion in how trauma impacts our first responders. She has used her own experience as a first responder to transcend into her current role of a mental health and chemical health therapist and consultant working with all first responders - police, fire, military, dispatchers, front line workers and corrections officers. Rachael is able to be a conduit of change, sharing the journey with those who face the everyday traumas they endure.

As a therapist, Mental health director and consultant, Rachael has this expertise working specifically with first responders and their experiences, she has assisted clients who suffer from traumatic events and helped them to overcome the symptoms which arise after such events. She has been an instructor for Crisis Intervention Training and Rachael’s extensive work with over 22 agencies has allowed her to create organizational changes in wellness for agencies and aided the families of first responders. Over the past 25 years she has provided critical incident management, crisis response, peer support development, training on a variety of topics. She was a creator of a peer support in her previous department nearly three decades ago. Rachael has served in her private practice and as the Mental Health Director for Provicta/HQ, Magnus Veteran’s Foundation and Provicta as a leader in the field. She serves as a Clinical Director for several Peer Support Teams. Integrating and teaching Peer Support Training to aid in team development and training are a significant passion for Rachael to pay it forward for other agencies to develop Champions of change within their own organization.

Course Description: 

Explore   why we do the work we do (protecting and helping others) and how it can   impact us physically and emotionally. Learn practical strategies for managing   stress and preventing the development of trauma- and stressor-related   disorders that can occur doing the work you do so that you can work “well,”   longer.    

Learning Outcomes: 

As   those whom we serve (and work alongside of) experience challenges and needs   that change over time, so the skill of empathy needs to change to meet those   evolving needs for understanding, connection and service efficacy. Learn practical and relationship   strengthening strategies for enhancing empathy skills beyond relating to   shared personal or professional experiences, to being able to empathize with   a greater variety of experiences – even your outside of one’s comfort zone.    

Curriculum summary 

The First Responder Mental Health & Wellness Workshop is an interactive training designed to help first responders understand the impact and possible effects of stress and trauma exposure to their mental health, physical health, behavior, and decision-making.  First responders will build an awareness of their own mental health and their body’s warning signs that they might need additional support. They will learn strategies for identifying and overcoming barriers to support for themselves and their peers and feel better equipped to have conversations around mental health.  First responders will also be introduced to practical and accessible self-care tools to build resilience and maintain wellness. 

Attendees   will develop an awareness of how stress and trauma exposure impact their health (mental and physical) and how they show up for their jobs and themselves. 

Attendees will develop insight into their own mental health and their body’s own warning signs that   they might need additional support. 

Attendees will feel better equipped to have conversations around   mental health. 

Attendees will be introduced to practical self-care tools to build resilience and maintain wellness. 

Attendees will be able to access their coping skills more readily and will have the tools to build a personalized plan in order to better manage their stress and maintain their   mental wellness.    

Biography 

Tricia Donelan, JD, CDP, is the owner of Lived It Education & Advocacy, LLC, a recent venture inspired by her belief in the power of lived experience in reducing the stigma associated with mental health.  Ms. Donelan is a dedicated Mental Health Advocate, Lived Experience Speaker, Mental Health and Wellness Trainer, and Consultant. She holds a B.A from the University of Michigan in Sociology with a concentration in Social Welfare and a JD from Cleveland State College of Law.  Ms. Donelan also holds certifications in Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) strategies, Instructional Design, Mental Health First Aid, and EEO counseling and investigations. Her professional experience includes Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training for the Chicago Police Department (CPD), advocacy, participating on lived experience panels, investigating discrimination and harassment allegations, and administering veteran programs.   

In her role as CIT Trainer for the Chicago Police Department (CPD), Ms. Donelan was responsible for training 20-hours of their 40-hour CIT Basic curriculum on topics including signs and symptoms of mental health conditions, barriers to care, crisis intervention, and de-escalation techniques. She also provided 8-hours of the 16-hours of CIT Refresher training which focused on officer wellness, the impact of occupational stress and trauma, and accessible self-care strategies. In addition to her training work, Ms. Donelan has also served as a consultant, designing peer support curriculum for the Chicago Fire Department.  

Ms. Donelan’s training style is informal, informative, conversational, and highly interactive. She emphasizes meeting people where they are and is mindful of the unique culture, schedules, and stressors of first responders when developing content and sharing wellness techniques. By incorporating humor and sharing her own successful strategies, she ensures that the information and techniques are accessible to her audience.  www.linkedin.com/in/tricia-donelan