Police officer suicide: causes, prevention, and practical intervention strategies.
More police officers die by their own hand than are killed in the line of duty. This article outlines the facts and statistics about police officer suicide and discusses the range of possible contributory factors to officer burnout, depression, and suicide. It then describes the range of prevention strategies that police agencies can employ to minimize this tragedy, including identification of risk factors, sensitivity to overt and subtle cues of officer distress, and proper utilization of counseling and referral services. Next, the article offers practical guidelines for dealing with officers in states of impending or acute suicidal crises. Finally, the importance of suicide prevention and intervention in the context of comprehensive mental health services for all public safety workers is highlighted.
Miller
Laurence
L
Independent Practice, Boca Raton, Florida, USA. docmilphd@aol.com
D000328:Adult; D003419:Crisis Intervention / Q000379:methods*; D003463:Cues; D005260:Female; D005868:Gestures; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D016495:Police / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012649:Self Concept; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D000092864:Suicide Prevention