On June 24, 2015, Ben’s life changed. While responding to a “routine medical assistance” call, he was stabbed multiple times by a bystander. The incident and the ensuing ordeal left Ben with a changed perspective.

Ben shares his story so that others, who may be going through a similar situation, can know that what they are experiencing is not their fault and that they are not alone. He wants others to know the impact this kind of event can have on a person, and how best to help someone who is going through crisis.

Ben’s Website:

http://benvernon.com/

Mark’s most challenging time so far in his life, was the sudden and unexpected death in 2012 of his 19-year-old adopted son, Anthony. It was during this difficult time, Mark discovered mindfulness – more specifically MBSR. First on-line then through the UCSD Center for Mindfulness. Mark learned through mindfulness practice how to be with the grief and loss and upset that comes with the death of a loved one, and how to navigate the daily reminders of missing.

Mark Foreman retired from a large city Police Department in 2007 as a lieutenant. Mark’s proudest moments were being recognized as a community leader in 2006 with the Ghandi Non-Violence Award. The award was presented to Dr. Jeffrey Rowe and him by Dr. Arun Ghandi, one of Mahatma Ghandi’s grandsons. Mark and Dr. Rowe had been nominated for the award by the Tarek-Kamisa Foundation (TKF). TKF is dedicated to teaching and inspiring forgiveness, hope and peace in youth and setting them on a path towards opportunity.

After retiring, Mark set about fulfilling his life’s dream of being a Doctor of Psychology. He graduated from Alliant International University with a Doctor of Psychology in clinical forensic psychology. For six years, Dr. Foreman worked as a Psychological Assistant, providing mental health services to regional first responders: Cops, firefighters, medics, lifeguards and their families. Mark embodies a trauma informed system of care in his treatment modalities. Mark is Director of Education and Training at Focus Psychological Services.

As a therapist, Mark embodied therapeutic practices that empirically support mindfulness. Mark also sits as a board member advising Mental Health America of San Diego (MHASD). Mark is a Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) teacher trained at UCSD Center for Mindfulness. These practices have brought him to a place in his journey that brings mindfulness and compassion into the lives and daily awareness of police officers and firefighters. The intent is to allow space for 1st responders to interact with the public they serve in a humanistic manner.

Mark’s Website:

http://mapsti.com/index.php?route=common/home

Recommended Books:

The Book of Forgiving: The Fourfold Path for Healing Ourselves and Our World - Desmond Tutu and Mpho Andrea Tutu

Emotional Survival for Law Enforcement: A Guide for Officers and Their Families - Kevin M. Gilmartin

Recommended Movies:

Disney Movies

Cloud Atlas

Inside Out

Restrepo

Finding Your Roots