Suicide is always preventable. If you are having thoughts of suicide or feeling suicidal, please call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline immediately at 800-273-8255. Counselors are also available to chat at www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org. Remember: You deserve to be supported, and it is never too late to seek help. Speak with someone today.
By Ashley Silver
Police1
CHICAGO — Three Chicago police officers died by suicide in the past week, bringing the total number of suicides this year within the Chicago Police Department to seven, according to WTTW News.
Police union representatives believe heavy workloads, canceled days off and an anti-police climate are contributing factors to officers’ mental health concerns.
Robert Sobo, director of the Professional Counseling Division and Employee Assistance Program for the Chicago Police Department, and Alisha Warren, assistant commissioner of mental health for the Chicago Department of Public Health, spoke on “Chicago Tonight” to detail the challenges police officers are facing, which can weigh substantially on their mental health and available resources to help.
RELATED: ‘Police work is tough work': CBS special highlights Chicago PD’s mental health ‘crisis’