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Public safety is a difficult profession that can lead to mental health struggles – and those struggles cannot be left untreated. More police officers died by suicide than in the line of duty in 2018, as was the case the previous year and the year prior to that. study commissioned by the Ruderman Family Foundation found that firefighters are also more likely to die by suicide than in the line of duty.

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​The following is a list of suicide prevention resources for first responders. Whether you’re on the front line and in need of immediate help, or in a leadership position looking to offer better prevention programs and help for your staff, this list should point you in the right direction.
 

Programs

The following programs will directly help you or help connect you to the resources you or a loved one needs. The majority of these are tailored specifically to first responders. Also, keep in mind that many of these websites list additional resources to the ones listed in this article.
 

1st Help

  • 1st Help matches first responders with appropriate services based on a brief questionnaire, which determines what specific assistance you need (emotional, financial, religious, etc.).

  • Contact: http://www.1sthelp.net/

 

911 Cares for Dispatchers

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Crisis Text Line

 

Cops Alive

  • Cops Alive provides resources and strategies to help cops live happy and successful lives.

  • Contact: http://www.copsalive.com
     

CopLine

  • CopLine is a 24/7 service that will connect you to a peer support counselor.

  • Contact: http://www.copline.org/ or call 800-267-5463

 

First Responder Support Network

  • FRSN provides educational treatment programs for first responders and their families.

  • Contact: http://www.frsn.org/ or call 415-721-9789

 

National Suicide Prevention Hotline

  • The lifeline provides 24/7 confidential support for those in distress or in need of help for their loved ones.

  • Contact: Call 800-273-8255 or visit suicidepreventionlifeline.org

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Safe Call Now

  • Safe Call Now is a 24-hour crisis referral service for those in public safety and their family members.

  • Contact: https://www.safecallnow.org/ or call 206-459-302

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Serve & Protect

  • Serve & Protect helps connect public safety professionals with trauma services.

  • Contact: https://serveprotect.org/ or call 615-373-8000 for the crisis line.

 

Share the Load​ for Fire & EMS

Texas Law Enforcement Peer Network

  • The Texas Law Enforcement Peer Network (TLEPN) is a state-wide program designed to give every Texas law enforcement[1] officer access to a specially trained peer to address stressors, trauma, fatigue, and other needs to combat workforce burnout and end Police suicide and self-harm.

  • The network will train and mentor police officer volunteers to assist their fellow officers manage stressors both on and off the job

  • Contact: https://www.untdallas.edu/cpi/tlepn/ or (972)-338-1314 (Informational line)​

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Texas PCIS

  • The Texas Post-Critical Incident Seminar (PCIS), hosted by LEMIT (Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas), is a peer-based program designed to assist Texas law enforcement officers and other first responders following exposure to critical incidents. The three-day seminar provides structured group discussions, education about trauma and stress, and support from peers who have experienced similar incidents. It's an outstanding in-state option for those needing intensive support post-incident

  • Texas PCIS – LEMIT

 

Treatment Placement Specialists

 

VALOR

  • The Valor Officer Safety and Wellness program is a Bureau of Justice Assistance funded initiative that provides a ton of resources and online training focused on improving officer health and resilience.

  • Contact: https://www.valorforblue.org/Home

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Warrior's Rest Foundation

  • Serves agencies in Fire, EMS, Communications Officers, and Corrections, and Law Enforcement.

  • Through peer support teams, workshops, and educational tools, Warrior’s Rest is shifting the stigma that surrounds job-related trauma with programs that support healthy individuals and build infrastructure within agencies

  • Also extend services to Adult Children of First Responders and Command Staff (Captain and above)

 

 

Advocacy

The following organizations are working to raise mental health awareness and treatment options for police officers.

Blue H.E.L.P.

  • Blue H.E.L.P. is an organization working to reduce mental health stigma in law enforcement and raise awareness of the problem of suicide in LE.

  • Contact: https://bluehelp.org/

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Badge of Life

  • Badge of Life’s focus is educating and training agencies on mental health and suicide prevention in law enforcement.

  • Contact: https://www.badgeoflife.org/

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Behavioral Health Informational Links
 

Counseling and Therapy

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Depression

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Anxiety

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Post Traumatic Stress

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Survivor Guilt

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Compassion Fatigue & Burnout

Suicide

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Grief

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Addiction

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Moral Injury

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Marriage & Family Health

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Resiliency

© 2023 Galveston County Critical Incident Stress Management Team

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