S6 E7 Dr. Katherine Kuhlman: When the Badge Gets Heavy

In this episode, we welcome back Dr.Katherine Kuhlman, a nationally recognized expert in police and public safety psychology, for a candid and necessary conversation on law enforcement suicide.

Dr. Kuhlman breaks down the warning signs officers and peers should watch for, including cumulative trauma, internal investigations, relationship strain, financial stress, and isolation. She explains why suicidal thoughts are more common than many realize, how stigma and fear of job loss keep officers silent, and what actually happens when someone asks for help.

The discussion also explores proactive solutions, including peer support, culturally competent clinicians, telehealth access, mandatory wellness check-ins, and trauma-informed treatment options. Dr. Kuhlman addresses common myths around firearms removal, involuntary hospitalization, and career consequences, while highlighting legal protections such as ADA and FMLA.