What happens when mental illness collides with broken systems—and no one is prepared to respond? In Collateral Damage, criminologist and former law enforcement officer Jesse Treviño exposes the catastrophic cost of ignoring mental illness in America’s public systems. Drawing on his own journey through trauma, PTSD, and crisis work, Treviño delivers an unflinching look at how law enforcement, healthcare, and policy too often fail the very people they claim to protect. From the frontlines of police patrols to the silence of overcrowded emergency rooms, Treviño reveals the human stories behind the statistics—stories of stigma, survival, and the desperate need for reform. Inside this powerful book, you’ll myths that fuel stigma and why they keep people from seeking help.How the criminal justice system became the de facto mental health system—and why it’s failing.Firsthand stories of crisis response, both successful and devastating.The truth about the link between mental illness and violence (it’s not what the media tells you).Practical lessons for police, policymakers, families, and communities.A call to action for compassion, reform, and resilience. Collateral Damage is more than analysis—it’s a wake-up call. Whether you’re a first responder, policymaker, healthcare worker, or family member, this book will challenge your assumptions and equip you to see the person behind the diagnosis. Perfect for readers who are interested illness & public safetyCrisis intervention & law enforcementPTSD, trauma, and resilienceCriminal justice and systemic reformBooks on stigma, empathy, and recovery If you believe public safety and mental health are inseparable, this book is for you.Because empathy isn’t the opposite of safety—it is safety.