title: Effects of a comprehensive police suicide prevention program.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Police suicides are an important problem, and many police forces have high rates. Montreal police suicide rates were slightly higher than other Quebec police rates in the 11 years before the program began (30.5/100,000 per year vs. 26.0/100,000).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate Together for Life, a suicide prevention program for the Montreal police.
  
  
  METHODS
  All 4,178 members of the Montreal police participated. The program involved training for all officers, supervisors, and union representatives as well as establishing a volunteer helpline and a publicity campaign. Outcome measures included suicide rates, pre-post assessments of learning, focus groups, interviews, and follow-up of supervisors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the 12 years since the program began the suicide rate decreased by 79% (6.4/100,000), while other Quebec police rates had a nonsignificant (11%) increase (29.0/100,000). Also, knowledge increased, supervisors engaged in effective interventions, and the activities were highly appreciated.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Possibly some unidentified factors unrelated to the program could have influenced the observed changes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The decrease in suicides appears to be related to this program since suicide rates for comparable populations did not decrease and there were no major changes in functioning, training, or recruitment to explain the differences. Comprehensive suicide prevention programs tailored to the work environment may significantly impact suicide rates.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Research and Intervention on Suicide and Euthanasia and Psychology Department, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. mishara.brian@uqam.ca
authors.forename: Brian L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Mishara
authors.forename: Normand
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Martin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D015277:Hotlines; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016495:Police / Q000193:education / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011792:Quebec; D013405:Suicide / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000092864:Suicide Prevention