James Jefferson

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James Jefferson is a touring speaking, author, and mental health educator who has worked as a police officer for the past 18 years.

 

In a career that involved a fatal shooting, followed by drug and undercover work; James endured the fallout of P.T.S.D. He chose to walk the road of suppression, hiding in plain sight, valuing his career accent and reputation above all else. Despite achieving rapid career success, James was unravelling at the seams within the shadows. Inevitably, he found himself in the depths of his trauma, battling mental illness, addiction, and suicide.

 

The sheer destructive force of trauma forced him off work, where he embraced isolation and found himself in the realm of unsupported and forgotten police officers. The weight of self-neglect and poor coping brought forth a potential wave of complete loss. Loss of his marriage, loss of career, and loss of life. At his lowest point, James made the fateful decision to embrace recovery through the development and application of his Blueprint to Resilience. Within his transformative journey, James defied the odds and found himself walking the path of post-traumatic growth.

 

Since then, James has become an advocate for mental health in sharing his lived experience and educating others in the creation of their own Blueprint to Resilience. His motivational message “I will not be Defined; I will Defy” serves as empowerment to anyone looking to overcome adversity in their own life. James is the defining embodiment that resilience can be taught and mastered as long as there is a plan and perspectives guiding it, backed by discipline.

 

James has had the honor in educating first responder services and their families, peer support and critical incident debriefing teams, leadership, clinicians, in addition to secondary, post-secondary and business institutions. Through his Blueprint, he delves into the depths of mental health, symptomology, behavioral patterns, recovery., and self-care. For over seven years, James has been instrumental in creating a culture of support and transformation through building and overseeing organizational wellness programs; facilitating training in mental health, and managing peer support and critical incident debriefing teams,. James has developed an invaluable insight to mental health and recovery, and is ready to create a resilient ripple effect through his speaking, training, and advocacy. 

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