Suffolk Sheriff's Office Launches First Annual Wellness Conference

BRENTWOOD, NY – The Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office is launching its first annual Wellness Conference on April 18 at Suffolk County Community College's Grant Campus.

The conference will take place in the Van Nostrand Theatre and will address the stressors that affect men and women in law enforcement and public safety professionals, according to the sheriff's office.

Speakers will cover topics including mental health, resilience, trauma and general wellness as related to law enforcement professionals.

Over 200 local law enforcement officials are expected to attend.

The event is spearheaded by the Sheriff’s Office’s Wellness Unit, which was established in 2022 and is the only full-time law enforcement agency wellness unit on Long Island. According to a press release, it aims "to strengthen the health and wellness of all Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office staff and provide peer support during times of need."

Since inception, the unit's assisted officers with over 3,500 times, created a Trained Peer Support Team with 41 members, and launched a wellness phone app that offers a "get help now" option that immediately connects a user to a variety of resources related to mental health and suicide.

Schedule:

9:30 a.m.: Suffolk County Sheriff Dr. Errol Toulon Jr.

10:15 a.m.: Stony Brook University's Dr. James Vosswinkel will speak about trauma and the stages of trauma in the Law Enforcement community.

11:15 a.m.: Wellness officer Brent Schlafer of Allegany County Sheriff’s Office and mental health therapist Belinda Schlafer will cover stress management.

2:15 a.m.: Dr. Jeff Thompson on AWE Project/Resiliency in Law Enforcement.