National Consortium on Preventing Law Enforcement Suicide
The National Consortium on Preventing Law Enforcement Suicide (the Consortium) is a group of multidisciplinary experts with a common goal of preventing officer suicide. Convened by the IACP, the Consortium focuses on solutions to emerging challenges and successes of the field in addressing mental health and preventing officer suicide.
With funding and support from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance and in partnership with the Education Development Center, Inc. and the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention, the IACP convened the Consortium. Representing fields such as law enforcement, mental health, and suicide prevention, families, and academia, the Consortium of multidisciplinary experts and stakeholder organizations has the common goal of preventing officer suicide.
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New Resource Spotlight
Check out the newest resource from the Consortium:
Resources
Officer Wellness Dashboard - This dashboard provides an organized, easy-to-use database highlighting legislation in each state for peer support confidentiality protections and mental health & post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in workers' compensation.
Suicide Resource Webpage - This page provides information, resources, and contacts to help agencies with suicide prevention and provide support after a suicide death or attempt. If you need resources or information on preventing law enforcement suicide, supporting officer mental health, or responding after an officer suicide death occurs, please visit the links.
2023 Report- This report outlines updated recommendations developed by the Consortium. To assist the law enforcement profession with improving access, quality, and acceptance of mental health resources and to advance suicide prevention efforts and support a culture of safety and wellness.
Final Report - This report outlines recommendations developed by the National Consortium on Preventing Law Enforcement Suicide. To assist the law enforcement profession with improving access, quality, and acceptance of mental health resources and to advance suicide prevention efforts and support a culture of safety and wellness.
This Final Report is accessible in multiple languages.
Policy Guidance- The Suicide Prevention, Intervention, & Postvention Policy Guidance for Law Enforcement Agencies assist agencies with the development of these policies while complementing their existing policies on related issues such as peer support, wellness, and employee assistance programs (EAP).
Toolkit- This Toolkit is designed to support agencies and departments to address officer mental health and wellness concerns. This suicide prevention toolkit has all the information that agencies need to develop and implement a customized agency approach to prevent officer suicide and strengthen officer mental health.
This Toolkit is accessible in multiple languages.
Chiefs Checklist – Responding After an Officer Suicide – As the leader of your department, you have an important role to play after an officer's suicide death occurs. This checklist includes tips to consider when your department is dealing with the tragedy of suicide loss.
Leadership Checklist – 6 Things Command Staff and Supervisors Can Say to an Officer Who Has Experienced a Peer or Personal Suicide Loss- This resource includes a list of best practices for engaging someone who has been impacted by a suicide loss. The points are starting points for having a supportive conversation with an officer who has lost someone to suicide.
Leadership Checklist – Ways Command Staff and Supervisors Can Talk with an Officer Who is Distress - This resource is designed to provide examples of possible language that can be used when you need to discuss your concerns with an officer.
Peer Support as a Powerful Tool in Law Enforcement Suicide Prevention - Peer support serves as a powerful resource for police in addressing stress management, mental health concerns, suicide prevention, and overall officer safety and wellness. This resource outlines how peer support can best integrate suicide prevention strategies to support fellow officers and considerations for peers to consider for their own wellness.
Messaging about Suicide Prevention in Law Enforcement - Words matter and talking about suicide can be difficult. The way a police agency talks about suicide can have a significant impact on suicide prevention. This resource helps encourage conversation, promote resiliency, boost help-seeking, and encourage other behaviors that will help prevent suicide.
After a Suicide in Blue: A Guide for Law Enforcement Agencies - A comprehensive postvention response assists in addressing the complex factors after a member of law enforcement dies by suicide. Providing effective and compassionate support, promoting healing, and reducing the risk of suicidal thinking and behavior for those impacted. This resource provides guidance for police agencies in responding to the suicide death of an officer, with considerations for several key areas.
Issue Brief - Law enforcement officers experience job-related stressors that can range from interpersonal conflicts to experiencing traumatic events such as vehicle crashes, homicides, and suicides. This cumulative exposure can affect officers’ mental and physical health, contributing to problems such as post-traumatic stress symptoms, substance misuse, depression, and suicidal ideation. This issue brief informs the work of the National Consortium on Preventing Law Enforcement and Wellness among law enforcement officers.
Consortium Flyer - Often law enforcement suicide is not talked about in the field. To assist in bringing awareness to suicide prevention the Bureau of Justice Assistance in partnership with the IACP put together the National Consortium on Preventing Law Enforcement Suicide. The consortium serves as the voice of the field for law enforcement mental health needs.
Suicide Prevention Infographic: Warning Signs - You can't have your partner's back unless you know what to look for. Agencies can use this resource to spread awareness of the warning signs of suicide.
Video/Webinars
Officer Safety and Wellness
