Two perspectives. A retired Cold Case Homicide detective, Jason Palamara, and acclaimed author and thanatologist, Barbara Rubel, whose parents were police officers. As you read this book on law enforcement wellness, you’ll notice that each chapter begins with Palamara’s memoir, “In My Experience and Lessons Learned” and describes how he coped with on the job traumatic experiences, such as 9/11, homicide of young victims, and LODD. Rubel’s section, “My Story and Evidence-Based Practices” follows, and includes cutting-edge science, research-based practices, and personal insight. She shares her childhood stories of living blue, as well as the devastating loss of her father, a retired sergeant, who died by suicide while she was awaiting the birth of triplets. What sets this book apart is its approach to vicarious trauma-informed practices based on the personal experiences of the authors, and that of over 70 law enforcement professionals and experts in mental health. Living Blue is designed to increase wellness in officers, their families, and ultimately, their communities. In Living Blue , you will learn how to: • Incorporate a vicarious trauma-informed approach to policing. • Manage compassion fatigue, burnout, secondary trauma, and moral injury. • Change the culture and stigma that prevents law enforcement professionals from getting help. • Boost resilience and achieve posttraumatic growth. • Prevent law enforcement officer suicide. Living Blue is an indispensable guide for those navigating the complexities of a demanding profession. Rubel and Palamara skillfully examine the challenges faced by law enforcement officers, offering insightful strategies and evidence-based practices to enhance mental well-being and build resilience. With a compassionate and practical approach, the book not only sheds light on the psychological toll of policing, but also provides invaluable tools for cultivating resilience, ultimately contributing to a healthier and more resilient law enforcement community. Living Blue is a must-read for anyone seeking a comprehensive understanding of the vital connection between mental health and the demanding field of law enforcement. Eric Golnick, CEO, Forge VFR As law enforcement officers, it is crucial for us to remember the boundary between our roles while in uniform and the complexity of the mental health challenges that we face. In a perfect world, removing our uniform at the end of a shift would signify shedding the burdens of the day. However, the reality is that officers often carry the weight of traumatic incidents home with them. I can personally attest to absorbing the aftermath of distressing calls, recalling details with remarkable clarity, down to the smell of an apartment or the clothing a child wore at the scene. Living Blue serves as a reminder that behind the badge, we are, first and foremost, human. Rubel and Palamara advocate for officers to embrace their emotions and seek support, particularly when contending with the silent judgment often self-inflicted. This resource is invaluable, emphasizing that officers are not alone, and seeking assistance is an unequivocal sign of strength. PO Meghan O'Connor MTA PD Peer Support Coordinator Barbara Rubel , MA, BCETS, DAAETS is a nationally recognized keynote speaker who motivates audiences to create wellness in their life through a vicarious trauma-informed approach. Barbara has presented to over 1,000 organizations since 1991. She is a leading authority and award-winning author on managing burnout, secondary traumatic stress, compassion fatigue, and vicarious trauma. Utilizing a variety of theory and practice, Barbara educates first responders about ways to cope when exposed to traumatic loss. Her father was a sergeant and her mother was a police officer in Brooklyn, New York. Three weeks prior to Barbara giving birth to triplets, her father, died by suicide. Her story was featured in the Emmy award winning documentary, Fatal Mistakes, Families Shattered by Suicide narrated by Mariette Hartley.   As a Board-Certified Expert in Traumatic Stress and Diplomate with the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress, Barbara gives audiences practical wellness strategies to manage moral injury and empathic distress fatigue. She received a Bachelor of Science in psychology and a Master of Arts degree in community health, with a concentration in thanatology, both from Brooklyn College. Thanatology is a multi-disciplinary field dedicated to understanding grief and bereavement. Barbara is the author of, But I Didn't Say Goodbye: Helping Families After a Suicide (3ed). (2020) . She wrote four editions of the 30-hour CE course, Loss, Grief, and Bereavement: Helping Individuals Cope (4ed) , Elite, and is the reviewer for the 5th edition. Barbara wrote the CE course, COVID 19 Loss, Grief, and Bereavement (2020) and co-authored the Department of Justice, Office for Victims of Crime (OVCTTAC) Training Curriculum, Compassi