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No One Walks Alone: Sherborn Officer Walking Across State To Raise Awareness Of Mental Health

One Sherborn officer takes walking a beat to a whole new level. Officer Doug Kingsley is hiking across Massachusetts —219 miles — to raise awareness of the mental health struggles of his brothers and sisters in uniform. 

Sherborn Police Officer Doug Kingsley is walking across Massachusetts — 219 miles — to raise awareness of the mental health struggles that police officers face.

Sherborn Police Officer Doug Kingsley is walking across Massachusetts — 219 miles — to raise awareness of the mental health struggles that police officers face.

Photo Credit: Instagram/@macopwalk219
Sherborn Police Officer Doug Kingsley started in on the New York border in Egremont on Oct. 12, and he plans to end at the Chatham lighthouse in Chatham on Friday, Oct. 21. You posted a map of his route on his website, www.copwalkma.com.

Sherborn Police Officer Doug Kingsley started in on the New York border in Egremont on Oct. 12, and he plans to end at the Chatham lighthouse in Chatham on Friday, Oct. 21. You posted a map of his route on his website, www.copwalkma.com.

Photo Credit: Instagram/@macopwalk219

Kingsley started at the New York border in Egremont on Oct. 12, and he plans to end at the Chatham lighthouse in Chatham on Friday, Oct. 21. Sometimes he walks by himself, and sometimes others join him. But even when no one is with him, he doesn't walk alone. He wants all first responders to realize that too. 

Suicide remains one of the leading causes of death for police officers and firefighters. Studies show that first responders are more likely to die at their own hands than in the line of duty because of the stress of their jobs. 

Kingsley is walking to raise money for Blue H.E.L.P. an organization removing the mental health stigma for officers and helping them deal with that stress such as PTSD and trauma. 

"I thought it would be a great way to raise awareness for a cause that hasn't been getting as much attention in the past years, and I think it's important that people start focusing on it," Kingsley told CBS Boston

So far, he's raised more than $13,000 on his GoFundMe campaign for Blue H.E.L.P, far more than his $10,000 goal. 

Kingsley welcomes people to walk with him. He will pass through Douglas, Uxbridge, Mendon, Bellingham, and Franklin on Monday, Oct. 17. 

You can follow along at home through his Massachusetts Cop Walk Instagram

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