FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Alexandria, VA, May 5th, 2025
Statewide Initiative Tackles Law Enforcement Stress
Virginia CIT and Mindful Junkie Outreach Launch Tactical Brain Training Across VA
Alexandria, VA, May 5th, 2025, The Virginia Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Coalition and Mindful Junkie Outreach have officially launched the Virginia Tactical Brain Training® Tour, with Fairfax, VA as the first stop. Over the next two months, this joint initiative will bring cutting-edge stress management training - using an innovative approach rooted in mindfulness interventions - to law enforcement professionals across 10 locations throughout the Commonwealth. The goal is to support over 300 individuals working in law enforcement with tools to manage the stress that comes with the job.
The Tactical Brain Training® program, developed by Gina Rollo White, is specifically tailored for first responders and law enforcement. It focuses on equipping participants with tools to prepare before, perform during, and recover after high-stress and critical incidents.
“The question we continue to ask is, ‘Who takes care of those who take care of our community?’” said Gina Rollo White, founder of Mindful Junkie Outreach and author of Tactical Brain Training. “Stress is a reality of law enforcement, but there’s still a stigma around acknowledging its impact. This training is not just a reactive approach, it’s also a proactive approach - it’s not about fixing what’s broken, but about giving officers practical, tactical strategies to manage stress before and after it takes a toll.”
The kickoff session in Fairfax was well-received by attendees who participated in a full day of education, connection, and hands-on techniques. “We talked, we ate, we laughed—and of course, we breathed,” White added. “It was a powerful way to begin this journey across Virginia.”
“What made this training different is that it didn’t just talk about stress—it gave us tools we actually practiced in the room and can take with us,” said Courtney Ballantine, Captain and Commander of Peer Support at the Alexandria, VA Police Department “It was simple, clear, and immediately useful—something I’ll carry with me on and off the job.”
“Law enforcement professionals face challenges that most people never see,” said Jimmy Chapman, Virginia CIT Coalition Executive Director. “We believe Tactical Brain Training is a crucial piece of the wellness puzzle, helping officers manage the cumulative stress of their roles. We’re proud to help bring this resource directly to those who need it.”
The tour will continue through June 2025, with upcoming stops in locations across Virginia. Officers and agencies interested in attending can reach out directly to Jimmy Chapman or Gina Rollo White.
About the Virginia CIT Coalition:
The Virginia CIT Coalition unites all crisis intervention teams across the Commonwealth of Virginia. VACIT Coalition accomplishes its mission through facilitating collaboration, supporting training, and advancing advocacy efforts. Their mission includes supporting the mental health and well-being of law enforcement professionals across Virginia.
About Mindful Junkie
Mindful Junkie Outreach is a registered 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization founded by Gina Rollo White, a long-time mind-body practitioner and mindfulness researcher. For over 10 years, Gina has been developing and leading mindfulness trainings specifically tailored to first responders, based on her extensive research on the benefits of mindfulness.
The mission of Mindful Junkie Outreach is to support first responders and veterans with mindfulness strategies to ensure they remain safe, healthy, and emotionally regulated. MJ aims to make mindfulness accessible through on-site educational workshops, including Tactical Brain Training®. These trainings introduce first responders to the science and practice of mindfulness through a combination of lectures and breakout sessions. Participants learn guided breathing exercises, techniques for focus and attention, methods for identifying emotional triggers, and the underlying science of mindfulness. They leave equipped with knowledge, skills, and practical exercises to support them both on and off the job.
