Suicide Prevention and Psychological Well Being
IN HARM’S WAY
In Harm’s Way: Law Enforcement Suicide Prevention
There is a brutal truth in law enforcement…that an officer is more likely to be a victim of suicide than a homicide. According to Dr. James Herndon in the FBI’s book, Suicide & Law Enforcement, “Everyday, somewhere in America, a law enforcement officer commits suicide.” More officers die from suicide than from line-of-duty deaths, yet little is being done to address this highly preventable loss.- Donna G. Schulz
In Harm’s Way a Law Enforcement Suicide Prevention Toolkit was designed to help you present suicide prevention training within your department, reduce the stigma associated with seeking help, and encourage your officers to roll backup for each other. The toolkit includes “Tactics for Psychological Survival in Law Enforcement.”
Additional resources available on the In Harm’s way website include: Crises Intervention, Peer Support, Stress Management, News and Publications and more.
It Gets Better
The San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) along with Mayor Ed Lee is proud to announce the debut of the “SFPD It Gets Better” video project as part of the nationwide campaign to end bullying of LGBT youth.
The video provides a message of transformation, hope and encouragement to LGBT youth that it does get better. The SFPD is the first and only Police Department in the country to produce a video for the campaign.
“It Gets Better” is a nationwide project, that offers support and encouragement to youth who are struggling with their sexual identity or bullied for being “different.” These messages of hope let young people know that they are not alone and that help is available.
The making of this video was a concerted effort by numerous members of the SFPD with the assistance of San Francisco film maker Shawn Northcutt who produced and edited the video along with San Francisco local musician Lynden Bair who developed the musical score.
“Today our Police Department joins the nationwide campaign to end bullying of LGBT youth by producing a heartfelt video that provides a message of hope and encouragement that it will get better,” said Mayor Ed Lee. “San Francisco is a city that prides itself on embracing equality for all and this video is another great example of our commitment to reinforcing our City’s values.”
Chief Greg Suhr wants youth to know that it really does get better. “This is a first of its kind video for the SFPD and for any law enforcement agency in the United States. I hope this message of encouragement will give hope to anyone who might be bullied because of who they are. The members of the SFPD will continue to work with all young people and reach out to the communities, as mentors and role models.”
“Suicide is not the answer.”
If you’re considering suicide or need help, call the Trevor Project now.
1-886-4-U-TREVOR
( 866-488-7386 )
February 2012