Linda Kokoros:
Linda Kokoros Co-Director of Hope Beyond the Badge
Originally from Dublin Ireland, Linda now resides in Braintree Massachusetts, with her husband George. Together they have five children - Stacey, Christina, Francis, Ailish, and their late son Alex. Linda is the owner and manager of Ma Reillys Irish Café in Weymouth Ma.
In 2018 Linda’s life took a profound turn when Alex, a Police Officer, died by suicide. In the wake of this tragedy she found a new purpose – advocating for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention in the First Responder Community. Since then Linda has returned to education and became a Certified Life Coach for First Responders and their Family Members. She has become certified in Mental Health First Aid, Mental Health First Aid Youth, Mental Health First Aid Youth Trainer, Psychological First Aid, Emotional First Aid, QPR Suicide Prevention, Applied Suicide Intervention Training Skills (ASIST), Group Crisis Intervention (GRIN), She serves on the Plymouth County LOSS Team (Local Outreach to Suicide Survivors), serves on the Plymouth County Peer Support Team, founded the Alex G. Kokoros Memorial Fund in memory of Alex, and Co-Founded Hope Beyond the Badge.
Jay Bailey:
Jay Bailey Co-Director of HOPE Beyond the Badge:
Jay is a Military Veteran, a Veteran of the Fire Service, and carries a diagnosis of PTSD. After enduring and eventually recovering from his own struggles as a result of trauma and stress induced injuries, Jay began a journey into the world of mental health. Specifically – Trauma recovery for First Responders and Military Veterans. Jays personal experiences and cultural observations instilled within him a relentless drive to understand the complexities of trauma and healing.
Jay is certified in Group Crisis Intervention (GRIN), Applied Suicide Intervention Skills (ASIST), Suicide Prevention Intervention and Postvention, QPR Suicide Prevention, Youth Mental Health First Aid, serves on the Plymouth County Peer Support Team, has obtained degree's in Human Services, Psychology, and is currently pursuing his Master’s Degree in Clinical Social Work.