Suicide Awareness with First Responders
By: Ashley Wright, LCMHCS
“Suicide awareness for first responders is a focused and ongoing initiative designed to educate and equip public safety professionals—including police officers, firefighters, paramedics, and dispatchers—with the knowledge and skills necessary to recognize, address, and ultimately prevent suicide within their workforce.”
I remember the first time we experienced losing someone we cared about to suicide. My husband, a law enforcement officer, had left early in the morning for the gym. It was still dark out and he hadn’t been gone long when I heard him coming back up the stairs into our bedroom. He was moving slowly and his head was down. His phone was in his hand as he had just spoken with someone. He quietly said my name and I immediately knew something was wrong in his voice. Falling to the ground and hearing him cry for probably the 2nd time ever in our relationship was crushing. I eagerly asked what was wrong and the only words he could say was his name…and that he was gone. Our friend, my husband’s co-worker, was gone and we would never be the same.
Later that day, I was asked to go visit the officer’s wife and family. We had known them since my husband started working at his department and they were at our wedding. We had laughed with them, spent time together, and watched their kids grow. They loved Jesus and it showed.
Visiting their home and being a trauma therapist, I distinctly remember the images of people, cop cars outside, pastors, Peer Team members, and more. It felt so surreal. Is this really true? Did this really happen? I remember trying to keep it together and be as supportive as possible, but the reality was it was devastating for everyone. The loss seemed unbearable.
I remember the crying and the deep sadness for months. Would this ever go away?
Grief never really ends here on earth when there is loss. When you lose someone to suicide, it can feel very weakening and even shameful. Many times this decision is made when the person can’t see a way out anymore or the pain feels too big. An individual can feel like a burden to those around them. Loneliness can also be a major factor. These are some core psychological drivers of suicide and often times we don’t actually know how the person got to the point of feeling so disconnected.
Even when the hardship of losing someone to suicide occurs, there is always still hope. Hope for healing, hope for awareness, and hope to make a difference in the lives of others who may feel similarly at times. A person’s passing has a way of humbling us. It causes us to PAUSE and rethink about what we have and how quick life can be. Also, how important the people around you truly are…
When it comes to suicide prevention there are some key strategies needed for First Responders groups:
Promote a Culture of Wellness
Reduce Stigma around Mental Health Care & Provide Easy Access to Counseling
Provide Education around Depression, Burnout, Stress, & Trauma
Implement Peer Support, Crisis Intervention Team, & Chaplains to Work Together
Provide Proactive Wellness Checks Regularly
Consider On-Going Training Opportunities such as Suicide Awareness Courses
We live in a world where we are so self-focused that we forget the importance of loving other people well. Love is a choice. Choose to love the people around you by checking-in with them often, showing genuine care and concern, and if you notice anything don’t beat around the bush. Be bold and ask the hard questions. How are you REALLY doing? Be direct. Be loving.
