About this episode

Sheriff Michael Cortez discusses the importance of mental health and wellness in policing, sharing his personal struggles and initiatives within his department.

Summary: In this episode of Truly Mental, Sheriff Michael Cortez from Hancock County, Ohio, shares his journey in law enforcement, emphasizing the importance of mental health and wellness for officers. He discusses the challenges of policing, the need for empathy, and the impact of age and experience on decision-making. Sheriff Cortez opens up about his personal struggles with mental health and the creation of a mental health wellness program within his department. He advocates for a culture ...

People in this episode

Hosts: Joe, Jesse

Guest: Sheriff Michael Cortez

Topics covered

• mental health
• policing
• wellness
• empathy
• decision-making

Keywords

• mental health
• policing
• wellness program
• empathy
• decision-making

Mentioned in this episode

Places: Hancock County, Ohio

More episodes of Truly Mental

• The Hidden Cost of Sleep Deprivation in Public Safety · March 17, 2026 · 53 min
• Connecting With The Past: The Reflekta.ai Journey · February 18, 2026 · 42 min
• The Cost of the Badge: A shooting, a Combat Cross, and the Mental Aftermath · January 5, 2026 · 49 min
• Sandeep Acharya: Bridging Gaps in Mental Health Access · December 18, 2025 · 45 min
• Your Brain Is Talking—Here’s How to Listen · October 16, 2025 · 42 min
• From the Marines to the Boardroom: Tony Crescenzo on Leadership, Tech, and Mental Resilience · September 15, 2025 · 48 min

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Truly Mental podcast page.