Police recruits support veteran suicide prevention with Memorial Day workout

NCTCOG's Regional Police Academy brought together more than 90 police recruits and partner law enforcement agencies for a Memorial Day tribute workout honoring fallen service members and raising awareness about veteran suicide prevention and mental health challenges facing first responders.

The event was held in partnership with the One Tribe Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing suicide among military veterans, first responders, and frontline healthcare workers. The workout is designed to embody the values of teamwork, accountability, and sacrifice while encouraging conversations around mental health and peer support.

“This workout is about more than fitness,” said Christy Martinez, the director of the Regional Police Academy. “It is a deliberate act of remembrance and a commitment to changing the culture around mental health in law enforcement and the military. When we train together, we remember together.”

The event reflects a growing effort among North Texas law enforcement agencies to break the stigma surrounding mental health and to encourage officers to seek support when needed. According to the National Center for PTSD, approximately 7 to 8% of the U.S. population will experience PTSD at some point in their lives – a figure that climbs to 35% among law enforcement officers. That’s nearly five times the national average.

"There are injuries to our brains that are unseen," said Martinez. "I want our recruits to know that they can always seek help. Our fellow brothers and sisters need to look out for one another. We are past the age of pretending everything is OK, it's just part of the job. We've got to get beyond that."