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Hibernian Radio May 24, 2025
This week on Hibernian Radio, host Paddy Houlihan takes on one of the most urgent and often overlooked issues facing Chicago law enforcement: the silent epidemic of police suicides. With more than 50 CPD officers lost in the past decade, Paddy welcomes two experienced voices who are working to bring change—Gene Roy, former Chief of Detectives for the Chicago Police Department, and Brendan McCrudden, a longtime officer now serving as Director of Development at The Well Resource Center.
Gene and Brendan share powerful personal stories of loss that led them to become advocates for mental health support in the law enforcement community. They discuss the emotional toll of the job, the lack of trust in internal support systems, and the cultural stigma that often prevents officers from seeking help. The conversation underscores the importance of peer support, chaplain services, and confidential access to qualified mental health professionals.
A central focus of the episode is The Well Resource Center, a nonprofit organization that provides free mental health services, peer support programs, and wellness events to first responders and their families. Brendan shares updates on the Center’s expansion efforts to open a new location on the Southwest Side of Chicago, as well as the growing need for more licensed therapists to meet demand.
Listeners are encouraged to support these vital efforts and spread the word about available resources, including the Haymarket Center’s First Responder Retreat and the Northern Illinois Critical Incident Stress Management Team. The episode closes with a call for stronger leadership within the department, continued community support, and a reminder that seeking help is a sign of strength.
This conversation offers both hope and urgency as it amplifies the voices working to create a healthier, more compassionate future for Chicago’s law enforcement officers.
Learn more or donate at https://www.thewellrc.org/
Proudly sponsored by:
Flood Brothers Disposal
Fox’s Pizza
Madden Funds
Local 150
View all episodes
This week on Hibernian Radio, host Paddy Houlihan takes on one of the most urgent and often overlooked issues facing Chicago law enforcement: the silent epidemic of police suicides. With more than 50 CPD officers lost in the past decade, Paddy welcomes two experienced voices who are working to bring change—Gene Roy, former Chief of Detectives for the Chicago Police Department, and Brendan McCrudden, a longtime officer now serving as Director of Development at The Well Resource Center.
Gene and Brendan share powerful personal stories of loss that led them to become advocates for mental health support in the law enforcement community. They discuss the emotional toll of the job, the lack of trust in internal support systems, and the cultural stigma that often prevents officers from seeking help. The conversation underscores the importance of peer support, chaplain services, and confidential access to qualified mental health professionals.
A central focus of the episode is The Well Resource Center, a nonprofit organization that provides free mental health services, peer support programs, and wellness events to first responders and their families. Brendan shares updates on the Center’s expansion efforts to open a new location on the Southwest Side of Chicago, as well as the growing need for more licensed therapists to meet demand.
Listeners are encouraged to support these vital efforts and spread the word about available resources, including the Haymarket Center’s First Responder Retreat and the Northern Illinois Critical Incident Stress Management Team. The episode closes with a call for stronger leadership within the department, continued community support, and a reminder that seeking help is a sign of strength.
This conversation offers both hope and urgency as it amplifies the voices working to create a healthier, more compassionate future for Chicago’s law enforcement officers.
Learn more or donate at https://www.thewellrc.org/
Proudly sponsored by:
Flood Brothers Disposal
Fox’s Pizza
Madden Funds
Local 150