Mental Health Check-in. You are not alone. There is help.

This week we continue our mental health conversations with Marisa Giarnella Porco of the Jordan Porco Foundation, SGT Christine Jeltema of the Connecticut State Police and SGT Rodney Valdes with the State Police and runs the Chaplaincy Program. You are not alone. There is help. We tackle mental health issues law enforcement faces, the anxiety our youth are experiencing, training for both law enforcement and mental health advocates, opioid and substance misuse and suicide prevention.

Call 2-1-1 as a great resource to find help, 9-1-1 in an emergency and if you need to talk to someone the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline '1-800-273-TALK (8255)'

If you are in law enforcement and need to reach out, SGT Valdes encourages you to contact him: despp.chaplains@ct.gov

As policing in the 21st century continues to evolve, the Connecticut State Police recognizes the importance of increased communication, transparency and accountability. Open and honest communication, especially concerning the use of force, is vital for building relationships and breaking down barriers. We have created this new transparency portal to provide convenient and accurate information to the public.

On this new site, www.cspnews.org/transparency, you will find multiple resources and reference materials including frequently asked questions surrounding the use of deadly force, annual use of force data, annual reports from the Internal Affairs Unit, applicable Connecticut General Statutes and relevant Connecticut State Police policies. Additionally, you will find press releases and videos (in compliance with state law) for officer-involved shooting investigations conducted by the Connecticut State Police. If you are seeking additional information regarding the above topics, please feel free to contact the Public Information Office at csp.pio@ct.gov