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Date: April 29, 2024 Mon
Time: 11:53 pm
Time: 11:53 pm
Results for police suicides
2 results foundAuthor: Chambers, Linda Title: An Investigation of Police Officers Bereaved by Police Suicides Summary: Police suicide represents a major threat to police departments because police officers are at least 8 times more likely to die from suicide than from accidental death. The problem addressed was a lack of organized, authentic suicide prevention programs in core training for police officers. The purpose of this study was threefold: first, to add to the existing body of literature on police suicide; second, to show how seemingly disconnected aspects of law enforcement such as training and police culture are interrelated; and third, explore the need for prevention and intervention strategies. There were 4 research questions used to address: (a)?the impact of a police suicide on fellow officers, (b)?suicide prevention training, (c)?suicide warning signs, and (d)?contingency plans for suicide prevention. The method used was phenomenological interviewing. Collected data were grouped in categorical dimensions using NVivo7 software. Data were coded by using various nodes within NVivo7 to explore content and list detailed hierarchy such as unsolved domestic problems, and suicide intervention training. This helped identify patterns of relationships that described emergent themes. For instance, insufficient training served as a catalyst for participants to educate themselves on suicide prevention. Results were based on emergent themes that illustrated the need for ongoing prevention training. Findings will benefit law enforcement officers and communities they serve, and police leaders will be better informed about the significance of suicide prevention training. This knowledge might solidify the relevance of exposing officers to suicide prevention programs to reduce the incidence of police suicide. Details: Walden University, 2008. 177p. Source: Available at the Don M. Gottfredson Library of Criminal Justice, Rutgers University Year: 2008 Country: United States URL: Shelf Number: 123668 Keywords: BereavementPolice CulturePolice Suicides |
Author: Heyman, Miriam Title: Ruderman White Paper on Mental Health and Suicide of First Responders Summary: A white paper commissioned by the Foundation has revealed that first responders (policemen and firefighters) are more likely to die by suicide than in the line of duty. In 2017, there were at least 103 firefighter suicides and 140 police officer suicides. In contrast, 93 firefighters and 129 police officers died in the line of duty. Suicide is a result of mental illness, including depression and PTSD, which stems from constant exposure to death and destruction. The white paper study, the Ruderman White Paper on Mental Health and Suicide of First Responders, examines a number of factors contributing to mental health issues among first responders and what leads to their elevated rate of suicide. One study included in the white paper found that on average, police officers witness 188 'critical incidents' during their careers. This exposure to trauma can lead to several forms of mental illness. For example, PTSD and depression rates among firefighters and police officers have been found to be as much as 5 times higher than the rates within the civilian population, which causes these first responders to commit suicide at a considerably higher rate (firefighters: 18/100,000; police officers: 17/100,000; general population 13/100,000). Even when suicide does not occur, untreated mental illness can lead to poor physical health and impaired decision-making. In addition, the Firefighter Behavioral Health Alliance (FBHA) estimates that approximately 40% of firefighter suicides are reported. If these estimates are accurate, the actual number of 2017 suicides would be approximately equal to 257, which is more than twice the number of firefighters who died in the line of duty. "First responders are heroes who run towards danger every day in order to save the lives of others. They are also human beings, and their work exerts a toll on their mental health," said Jay Ruderman, President of the Ruderman Family Foundation. "It is our obligation to support them in every way possible - to make sure that they feel welcome and able to access life-saving mental health care. This white paper should serve as a critical call to action to all who care about our heroes in red and blue." The white paper also goes on to lay out several barriers that prevent first responders from accessing necessary mental health services to help them cope with trauma. Experts describe the shame and stigma surrounding mental health within professions that prioritize bravery and toughness, and the public remains largely unaware of these issues, since the vast majority of first responder suicides are not covered by the mainstream media. Additionally, of the 18,000 law enforcement agencies across the United States, approximately 3-5% have suicide prevention training programs. Details: Boston: Ruderman Family Foundations, 2018. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 28, 2018 at: http://rudermanfoundation.org/white_papers/police-officers-and-firefighters-are-more-likely-to-die-by-suicide-than-in-line-of-duty/ Year: 2018 Country: United States URL: http://rudermanfoundation.org/white_papers/police-officers-and-firefighters-are-more-likely-to-die-by-suicide-than-in-line-of-duty/ Shelf Number: 149934 Keywords: First RespondersMental health ServicesPolice SuicidesPost-Traumatic Stress SyndromeSuicide |