EP 119 The Hidden Mental Health Crisis in Law Enforcement | In Conversation with Jason Cates

EP 119 The Hidden Mental Health Crisis in Law Enforcement | In Conversation with Jason CatesIn this powerful episode of My Secret Life with an Eating Disorder, Maureen Kritzer-Lange, the Queen of Self-Esteem, speaks with retired law enforcement officer Jason Kates, founder of My Journey with the Badge Foundation, about trauma, identity, service, and what happens when the uniform comes off.After nearly three decades in law enforcement, including SWAT command and leadership roles, Jason shares the unseen emotional world behind the badge — the trauma officers witness, the feelings they are trained to contain, and the impact that follows them home.This conversation is not about politics or headlines. It is about the human cost of service, the identity loss many officers face after retirement, and the urgent need for mental health support that truly understands law enforcement culture.At its heart, this episode asks: What do people carry silently because their job requires them to look strong?