FOREST LAKE, Minn. – A Minnesota nonprofit is working to break down barriers around mental health care and spark important conversations among those working on the front lines of public safety.
“I don’t want anyone to ever feel stuck,” says Russ Hanes, founder and executive director of the Invisible Wounds Project.
Hanes himself was once there.
“I was a police officer, 911 dispatcher and corrections officer for 17 years. I was at my lowest point,” Hanes said. “I was struggling with PTSD and having suicidal thoughts. I couldn’t find anyone. I couldn’t find anyone because I wasn’t a vet.”
That’s why Hanes founded The Invisible Wounds Project in 2018. The nonprofit organization serves Minnesota’s military, first responders, frontline medical staff, emergency rooms and more. The goal is to start the conversation about mental health – the wounds you can’t see – and get help.
With the death of a Minneapolis officer Jamal Mitchellit’s been a rough few weeks within that community.
“In the last two weeks we’ve had five people representing these lines, who are not veterans, die by suicide,” Hanes said, pointing to the stripes on his shirt. “And those are just the ones we know. We know Officer Jamal Mitchell made the ultimate sacrifice two weeks ago. What is not known is that he went to the hospital at HCMC, one of the intensive care nurses who cared for him, after shift – that nurse had also taken care of the Burnsville shooting – that nurse died by suicide. That is not public, that is not known.”
It’s heartbreaking stories like these that keep Hanes doing the hard work: connecting first responders with others facing similar battles, letting them know they are not alone and providing access to potentially life-saving help. That mission is now at the forefront in Forest Lake with a forthcoming, first-of-its-kind facility: a first responder support center.
“This is meant to be a space where people can go, connect with others, get therapeutic access and get therapeutic services. And it really is a community, where they’re not alone. They’re not the only ones going through that ,” Hanes said.
Hanes says when it’s up and running next month, the center will be filled with activity; from art and woodworking to yoga education and most importantly, hope.
The center has a spot opening in July. Hanes is confident its impact will be enormous, but they need help. If you would like to donate to the cause, click here.
