Shining the Light on Mental Illness, Trauma and Suicide

Karyn Feeney is a National Trainer instructing train the trainer courses for MHFA for the National Council for Behavioral Health and a certified Mental Health First-Aid (MHFA) Instructor. Karyn is certified to teach MHFA virtually, blended (2 hours of self-study/4-5.5 hours of in person/virtual instruction), and in person.  Karyn was the first certified MHFA instructor for the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Karyn became a Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) officer in 2017, acted as a role player for CIT training courses, and has completed numerous additional training topics related to assisting those experiencing mental health challenges.  Karyn has participated in the St. Louis West County Opioid Abuse Task Force and provided lectures to students and communities on the crisis. Karyn brings her lived experience as a caregiver for family members who live with mental health challenges.

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Karyn retired from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, St. Louis Division in December 2017, where she served as a Special Agent for approximately 23 years specializing in narcotic, money laundering, and criminal enterprise investigations.  Karyn spent her last three years spear-heading mental health training for Special Agents, professional support, and federal, state, and local partners by providing opportunities for training through MHFA, CIT, and coordinating community speakers.  Karyn consulted on the development of mental health curriculum within the FBI and established FBI St. Louis’ membership in the St. Louis Crisis Intervention Coordinating Council led by St. Louis County Police Department and the St. Louis National Alliance on Mental Health, Community Policing Unit.  Prior to her career with the FBI, Karyn was a Deputy United States Marshal, United States Marshals Service.

 

EDUCATION  
Federal Bureau of Investigation Training Academy, Special Agent, Quantico, Virginia, 1995
Federal Law Enforcement Training Center/United States Marshals Service Training Academy, Glencoe, Georgia, 1992  
B.S., Criminal Justice Sciences, Illinois State University, Bloomington-Normal, Illinois, 1991