WeNeverWalkAlone logo
WeNeverWalkAlone
Nationwide Peer Support & Mental Health Professional Network

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

About the WeNeverWalkAlone program

What was the need for inventing the WeNeverWalkAlone program? What problem does it address and solve?

Answer: Nearly 90% of police departments have fewer than 50 sworn officers. Generally, departments of that size have one to two trained peer supporters. Statistics suggest that in times of need, the first place officers will turn for help is to a fellow officer because they find a judgment-free zone, and cops know cops best. Those officers who do reach out to their peers almost always are glad they did because it is so effective!


However, officers do not always feel comfortable opening up to the few peer supporters within their own department. There is a stigma associated with displaying their vulnerability. The rumor-mill mentality is often present in the culture of the department; so the investment that the department makes in training peer supporters, though well-intentioned, does not always deliver the desired effect.


WeNeverWalkAlone solves this problem by connecting peer support officers across participating police departments. This way an officer that needs peer support can reach out to a trained peer supporter from another department without worrying about the rumor mill, anonymity, confidentiality, or other privacy issues. WeNeverWalkAlone puts the power in the palm of the hand (literally) by creating individual sign-in credentials to a secure, confidential web portal with the ability to search for and call a peer supporter from any of the participating departments.

What are the benefits of joining WeNeverWalkAlone?

Answer: Joining the WeNeverWalkAlone network is a force multiplier, in that the departments will now have access to an entire pool of peer supporters, not just their own.


The network also offers a list of high-quality, vetted mental health professionals who are committed to working with law enforcement. We vet the applicants against the ethical principles, guidelines and code of conduct set by their respective occupational associations, such as the American Psychological Association (APA) in the case of psychologists.


Last, but not least, the network has compiled numerous resources that specifically deal with the holistic well-being of LEOs. We post a ton of real-time information and news that are relevant to our members specifically, and the LE community in general, on our WeNeverWalkAlone Facebook channel - be sure to like for all the latest updates.

How many departments are in the network today? Who are they?

Answer: We currently have 73 police departments across Adams, Cook, DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kendall, LaSalle, Lake, McHenry, McLean, Ogle, Peoria, St. Clair and Will counties in the Metropolitan Chicago area. Request member agencies list

Is the network secure, private, and confidential? Is there any tracking of an officer’s activity while using the platform?

Answer: We do not track any officer’s activity on the WeNeverWalkAlone network. We do not know who signs in, or when or how often an officer signs into the network. We do not track who the officer calls for assistance or what external resources the officer accesses. Nothing is recorded or monitored. In short, we do not track anything. All activities on the network are 100% private and confidential.


Unlike an EAP service, WeNeverWalkAlone has no obligation to report back to the officer’s employer, if asked, as to any usage data. In order to prevent the sharing of private data that might be subpoenaed by the court, sensitive data on the officers is never even recorded. Peer support confidentiality is strictly maintained and explicitly build into the WeNeverWalkAlone program.

Peer Support Training

How can we get trained in Peer Support?

Answer: To know more about Peer Support Training click here.

Mental Health Professionals

What are the criteria for mental health professionals to be listed on the WeNeverWalkAlone network? Who does the vetting and how?

Answer: We ask very specific questions and streamline the application process by asking the applicants to submit all of the required documents online at https://weneverwalkalone.org/mental-health-professional-sign-up . We specifically look for total commitment and prior experience treating LEOs. All of our mental health professionals will either pick up our officers’ calls at any given time of the day AND/OR guarantee to have the officer scheduled for a session within 24 hours of the officer reaching out to them.


Our vetters visit the professional's office, if it is located in the Chicago Metro area, or do a video call if the professional is outside the state of Illinois, in order to assess the professional. After much deliberation and consensus amongst the vetters, the applicant is either added to the WeNeverWalkAlone list of professionals or is deferred for later consideration.

Is the mental health professional network nationwide? Could officers seek help across state lines based on a need for a particular skill set that is unavailable in their state?

Answer: Yes. The mental health professionals are part of a nationwide network. We have vetted mental health professionals from coast to coast across the nation, though most of them are located in the Chicago Metro area. Our LEOs have access to the list of mental health professionals no matter where they are (on vacation, traveling for work, etc.).

How do the mental health professionals get paid for their services?

Answer: The mental health professionals accept the insurance that the officers have. Details of the PPO/HMO and insurance carriers that they accept are available on the WeNeverWalkAlone website or may be obtained by calling the professional’s office.

Membership Details

How does one become a member of the WeNeverWalkAlone network?

Answer: Any department interested in joining the network may send us a message on our contact page for details. Individual officers may not join the network on their own. Departments cannot enroll just a few of their sworn officers in the program. If a department wants to join WeNeverWalkAlone, it has to add all of its sworn officers into the program. All officers in the subscribing department get their own individual sign-in credentials, which they can use to access the network resources. Non-sworn or civilian staff enrollment is optional, but all sworn officer inclusion is mandatory.

Is there a fee to join the WeNeverWalkAlone network?

Answer: Yes. The annual subscription fee depends on the size of the department. Please send us a message on our contact page for pricing information.

Can we get a demo of the system virtually, or in person?

Answer: Yes. Please visit our appointment page to schedule a demo with one of our teammates at your convenience.

I am the Chief of the Department. How do I know if my officers are using the network resources or not? How do I determine the return on investment (ROI) of being a member of the network?

Answer: In order to maintain complete anonymity for the officers, we do not track the officers’ activities on the WeNeverWalkAlone network. We do not know who signs in, when they sign in, or how often they sign in to the network. We do not track or keep information on what professional help was sought or what resources were accessed. In short, we do not track anything. All activities on the network are 100% private and confidential. Nothing is recorded or monitored.


As a result, we do not know the usage details, nor can we compute the return on investment of becoming a member. If your department’s peer supporters receive calls from other departments’ officers seeking advice, then it is very likely that your department officers are doing the same. Reciprocity is the only indirect way to know the usage.


Having said that, we understand the spirit of the question. To address those concerns while keeping our promise to confidentiality intact, we are planning on sharing general usage statistics such as how many visits our website receives over a time period, how many mobile app installs we have, peer supporter survey results, etc., The nature of these statistics are generic and non user specific. If you are interested in this data, please click here.


Confidential, Private, Anonymous and Secure access to network resources are the pillars of We Never Walk Alone program. True to that commitment, we have zero tracking data in the system. Confidentiality is baked into the system by design. So, rest assured.

Can we know the usage details/statistics of the program?

Answer: Off late, there’s been an elevated interest [and curiosity to some extent] from the Chiefs and command staff of some existing and many future members to know if Officers are using the network resources at all. To address those concerns while keeping our promise to confidentiality intact, we are planning on sharing general usage statistics such as how many visits our website receives over a time period, how many mobile app installs we have, peer support officer survey results, etc., The nature of these statistics are generic and non user specific. If you are interested in this data, please click here.


Confidential, Private, Anonymous and Secure access to network resources are the pillars of We Never Walk Alone program. True to that commitment, we have zero tracking data in the system. So, we really can’t say which Officer is calling whom or accessing what network resources. So, the confidentiality is baked into the system by design. So, rest assured.

Is there a minimum term commitment to join the program?

Answer: We expect new departments that join the network to provide a three year commitment, initially. After three years, the commitment is annual. The initial multi-year term commitment helps stabilize the network by reducing the churn, while defraying the cost of initial on-boarding. If your department cannot provide a three-year initial term commitment for any valid reason, please send us a message on our contact page to explore other viable options that might work for your department.

Privacy Policy and Terms Of Use


Privacy Policy

Terms of Use