Bloomington Honors National Suicide Prevention Day, Advocates For Police Mental Health Support

Bloomington Honors National Suicide Prevention Day, Advocates For Police Mental Health Support

As the nation pauses to mark National Suicide Prevention Day, the City of Bloomington has stepped forward to commemorate September as a month for Suicide Prevention and Awareness. Shining a light on an issue that often lurks in the shadows, Mayor Busse and the city council have thrown their full support behind efforts to confront the challenges many face, including members of the law enforcement community.

It is no secret, the burden carried by those who serve to protect can be heavy, and the Bloomington Police Department acknowledges this on their social media, saying "The data on the increased risk for law enforcement officers is staggering," and "The mental health of our staff is of utmost importance" against a backdrop where the strain of the badge can lead to untold mental anguish and the stark reality that officers are not immune to the siren call of despair.

There is a beacon of hope, however, a lifeline in the form of a simple three-digit number—988. In their online statement, the Bloomington Police champion the message that "Help is available for everyone!" a reminder that stretches across all walks of life, connecting those in need with support and a voice on the other end of the line to say, "You are never alone."

For those in silence, battling their own shadows, the call to reach out, to dial or text 988, could be the first step towards a new dawn.

SOURCE: hoodline