“Fight to Thrive: A Journey Through Critical Incidents, Mental Health, and Resiliency”

After surviving an attempted execution while working as a Deputy Sheriff for the largest county in the country, I began a journey through uncharted waters trying to navigate newfound trauma, PTSD and stigmas surrounding law enforcement. While still being a mom to three young children, a wife to a law enforcement officer, an attempted suicide and medical retirement thrust me into a desire to advocate for mental health in first responders. An epidemic of police suicides has struck the law enforcement community, and mental health should be a priority for all. Attendees will benefit from learning about police suicide and mental health and providing all with my own real-world experiences behind navigating critical incidents, life afterwards and how to build resiliency to overcome and thrive. Attendees will learn about adverse experiences in their own childhood and life and learn how to predict and prevent trauma and mental health in their own homes and minds. (1 Hour F6 Credit)

Megan McCarthy
Deputy Sheriff (Ret.)

Meagan McCarthy was a Deputy Sheriff for the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department for six years, serving in various capacities such as CPS liaison, school resource officer, recruiter, and explorer coordinator. Meagan was involved in an on-duty shooting, which was caught on video and highly publicized. The suspect attempted to execute Meagan after brutally beating her. Four years later, the trial began and due to failed law enforcement legislation, the suspect was acquitted and subsequently freed from custody.   Meagan was medically retired for PTSD and has now dedicated herself to advocating for first responder mental health and victims of crime. She serves as a co-chair on the Crime Survivors board, providing insight to victim resources and advocating for the first responder community. She now works to advocate for the mental health, first responder and victim communities, speaking at various conferences, political events, and news interviews. Meagan is a Fox News contributor, and has been featured on NBC, Inside Edition, Yahoo, CBS, ABC, Fox News.com, The Daily Mail, California Insider, The Ingraham Angle and over 20 podcasts. Meagan has spoken at various conferences and events including Turning Point USA, LAAPOA, LAWPOA, NAWLEE, The Bleeding Blue, Women Leaders in Law Enforcement, Post Traumatic Purpose with Travis Howze, Public Safety Resiliency Conference, POST Executive Summit, California University Police Chiefs Association, and the California Police Standards and Training courses. Meagan is an Executive Board member for CoverNow Foundation, and is working to change the mental health system for first responders.  She was awarded the prestigious Above and Beyond award from Crime Survivors for her work in advocacy.