It is a sobering reality that law enforcement officers (LEOs) are at least three times more likely to die by suicide than in the line of duty. This stark statistic reveals a harsh truth: LEOs are facing a silent epidemic, becoming their own worst enemies. Below, I dispel four misconceptions surrounding suicide and discuss what the facts mean for suicide prevention.

Misconception #1: Suicide happens without warning

It is true that some individuals complete suicide without broadcasting their intentions. However, more than 80% of individuals do exhibit warning signs. These warning signs include verbal, emotional and behavioral indicators. Verbal signs, or what the individual says, may be the most noticeable. Most individuals will not directly say “I want to kill myself,” but rather make veiled comments such as “If I don’t come to work tomorrow, no one will miss me.” It is important to take these comments seriously. If you are unclear about what the person means, ask! Many people still think that if someone is talking about killing themselves, they are not truly committed to carrying out the act. We know that not only is this another misconception, but it keeps some from engaging in prevention efforts. Don’t try to be a tea leaf reader; if they broadcast it, believe it!

Misconception #2: Suicidal individuals are crazy

In fact, most individuals will have some sort of suicidal thought over the course of their lifetime. Most suicidal individuals are looking for a way to end the pain and can only see one way out. What is important is that the person seeks help and support to address suicidality and the underlying causes, such as depression, trauma, substance use or even more situational causes such as relationship issues or legal (and therefore professional) trouble. Like other human behavior, suicidality occurs on a spectrum and can present in varying degrees. Cops should know that mental health professionals are looking to find the most appropriate intervention for the presenting problem. If you are expressing thoughts of suicide, that does not mean an automatic trip to the hospital. It is only in what we consider “imminent risk” cases (more on that below) that we may look to more serious intervention.

Misconception #3: If they don’t have access to their gun, they will just find another way

Most individuals are actually highly committed to their chosen method of killing themselves and will not seek other means if that method is removed. Most law enforcement kill themselves using their service or personal firearm. If a suicidal individual has stated that this is their desired method, helping them place time and distance between them and that firearm is crucial. While this can be a controversial question for law enforcement (separating someone from their service weapon is generally seen as punitive and shaming), we don’t have to take an “all or nothing” approach. Can the individual store their firearms with a friend in the short term? Or, if not, proper firearm safety and security can make a major difference. Firearm locks and safes can sometimes create the needed deterrent between the individual and their gun. Or consider “pause items,” such as tape with the 9-8-8 number or a picture of your family or pet on the gun case, as important reminders needed in a time of crisis. 

Misconception #4: Suicidal individuals will always be suicidal

While there are some individuals who are considered “chronically” depressed and suicidal, for most, this a temporary state. In fact, for nearly 50% of individuals, the final deliberation occurs for 10 minutes or less. Increasing that number to 24 hours increases that percentage significantly. No one likes or wants to send someone to the hospital (and there are lots of misconceptions for law enforcement here too, so I will briefly just note that in most states voluntary hospitalization will not result in a firearm ban). However, if the person is showing signs of imminent risk (such as having a developed plan, access to means and/or reporting they will kill themselves if left alone), keeping them away from lethal means in the short term can be a lifesaving intervention. Engagement with a mental health professional is instrumental to assess safety risk and provide follow-up intervention.

I hope the message of this article is clear: If we listen to the warning signs and act, we can prevent many law enforcement suicides. However, we cannot do this without continuing to create change at the organizational level. Suicide prevention begins before the individual is ever in crisis, by reducing the stigma of seeking help and creating a culture of support within the agency. Agencies can begin to do this through proactive wellness initiatives, peer support programming, leadership development and accessibility to culturally competent clinical providers, just to name a few possibilities.

If you are thinking about killing yourself, it is not too late to ask for help. Dial 9-8-8 to reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.