More police officers die by suicide than are killed in the line of duty. This high rate is concerning, especially as reported suicide rates of first responders are thought to be much lower than the reality. And when it comes to means, firearms are overwhelmingly used. Why are these rates so high? To find out, our three guests (who happen to have served over a combined 80 years in law enforcement, in addition to being experts on suicide) joined host JJ. Dennis Harris (founder of smart gun lock company T-Lock, and father of TaLeah), Dr. Steve Albrecht (author of Stay Safe At Work: Your Ultimate Guide to Workplace Security, The Police Professional: 60 Ways to Lead, and more) and Steve Hough (Chief Operating Officer of First H.E.L.P., a organization devoted to reducing mental health stigma for First Responders through education, advocacy, and training), all share their personal, and professional, thoughts on what first responders — and the people that care about them —can do to help protect those in their lives that took an oath to "protect and serve."
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Mentioned in this podcast:
Police face dilemma over when to take a suicidal officer’s gun (Los Angeles Times)
Police Stress and Police Suicide (Crime Time)
Death Behind the Badge: The Silent Epidemic of Police Suicides (Psychology Today)
Where Are You Hiding (First Help)
Police Stress and the Suicide Link (Department of Justice)
For more information on Brady, follow us on social media @Bradybuzz or visit our website at bradyunited.org.
Full transcripts and bibliographies of this episode are available at bradyunited
For more information on Brady, follow us on social media @Bradybuzz or visit our website at bradyunited.org.
Full transcripts and bibliographies of this episode are available at bradyunited.org/podcast.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255.
In a crisis? Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a Crisis Counselor 24/7.
Music provided by: David “Drumcrazie” Curby
Special thanks to Hogan Lovells for their long-standing legal support
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