HEALTH & WELLNESS
Peer support prevention, intervention and post vention: focusing on the“ before” instead of the“ after”
Since Cop2Cop began 16 years ago, there have been approximately 100 officers who’ ve died as a result of suicide. During the same 16 years, we have documented more than 225“ averted” suicides – crisis calls that began with a gun to one’ s head, an overdose or a suicide note, and ended with a rescue or a“ crisis averted” to direct someone to treatment, to peer support – to life.
One of the many positive outcomes of our collaboration with NJ State PBA, when the Governor’ s Task Force on Police Suicide formed in 2008 / 2009, is the recommendation that a relatable and updated police suicide prevention course be created to stop the problem through a prevention-driven approach to the problem. The Police Training Commission inserted mandatory Cop2Cop Question, Persuade and Refer( QPR) Suicide Prevention coursework for every new recruit going through a state academy to enforce that premise. Though recruits don’ t kill themselves as often as veteran officers, we cannot push our luck, so we do what we can to get the word out. We depend on you.
In May, the focus of our work in New Jersey Cops Magazine was highlighted in our Critical Incident Debriefing work, known as“ post vention,” or help for someone after he / she has been exposed to trauma. The Cop2Cop QPR effort was designed as prevention, to get ahead of the problem and emphasize the strengths and weaknesses in our law enforcement culture to equip you to be your brothers’ and sisters’ keeper.
Below is a brief description of the program we’ ve designed, informed by actual data and trends from decades of calls and post-suicide psychological autopsy work. The course has a lot of great interaction and information; here is an outline of some highlights: Cop2Cop QPR as a suicide awareness tool
Be your brother’ s / sister’ s keeper not just during times of crisis but always. Remember, how you ask the question regarding a potential suicide attempt is less important than asking the question itself. QPR is not intended to be a form of counseling or treatment; QPR is a tool to identify suicidal intentions in your fellow officer, intended to offer hope through positive action. Be your brother’ s keeper – ask the question.
How to ask a question, and be more than a friend:
• Persuade someone to live instead of attempt suicide.
• Don’ t hesitate to get involved or take the lead. Refer the person in question to help.
• Give your partner the backup he / she needs when he / she needs it most.
• The more clues and signs observed, the greater the risk; so, take all signs seriously.
Police suicide: knowing the facts and be aware of warning signs Facts:
• Asking won’ t put the thought in someone’ s head; it will give that person an opportunity for help.
• According to a 2016 study, the ratio of law enforcement officer suicides to line-of-duty deaths is estimated at 19 to one.
• Most suicidal individuals express some intent the week prior to their attempt.
• Suicide is the most preventable kind of death, and almost any positive action may save a life.
Signs / cues to look for:
• Warning signs include despair, hopelessness, depression, suicide threats and previous suicide attempts, alcohol and drug abuse( including prescription drugs and pain medications), statements revealing a desire to die or thoughts about killing oneself, sudden changes in behavior, prolonged depression, making final arrangements and giving away prized possessions.
• Direct verbal cues include,“ I wish I were dead,” and“ If X doesn’ t happen, I’ m going to kill myself.”
• Indirect verbal cues include,“ My family would be better off without me,”“ Soon you won’ t have to worry about me anymore” and“ Here, take this, I won’ t be needing it.”
If you are dealing with an officer who is not open to referral of any sort, and you believe at significant risk for suicide, it is very important that you initiate some action to get him or her help. Know your contractual and departmental emergency protocols to ensure the officer’ s safety as well as the safety of others. Question the person about suicide
Don’ t be afraid to ask if they have thoughts of killing themselves, or if they have a plan. Tips for asking the suicide question include:
• If in doubt, don’ t wait; ask the question, be persistent.
• Talk to the person alone in a private setting; allow him / her to talk freely.
• Give yourself plenty of time; if you don’ t feel comfortable taking action, find someone who does.
Persuade the Person to get help
Listen carefully. Then say,“ Let me help you, I care,”“ Come with me to find help” or“ Have you thought about calling the Cop2Cop program for someone to talk to? The number is 1-866-267-2267.”
Don’ t try to be their counselor or fix their problem; instead, be their friend and support them in seeking help. Refer them to help
Utilize the Cop2Cop program, your PART team representatives, chaplain or a trusted care provider.
Since we began in 2009, we have had huge support from NJSP- BA in completing Cop2Cop QPR trainings using retired officers as trainers and police psychological experts, with significant success, boasting more than 250 sessions and more than 10,000 participants, to date. d www. njcopsmagazine. com ■ JUNE 2016 85