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According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, middle-aged men have the highest rate of suicide in the US. In fact, 2018 statistics indicate that men died by suicide 3.6 times more often than women.
Some groups of men may be at particular risk of suicide, with some research indicating that police officers (a male-dominated profession) have a higher rate than the general population. Indeed a recent report found that more police officers die by suicide than die in the line of duty. Another study found that 1 in 4 police officers have thoughts of suicide during their lives.
Such suicides are often related to mental distress. Police officers must regularly deal with disturbing and traumatic events including murder, rape, and violence. They are often at risk of assault and abuse and can work long, unsociable hours under constant physical and mental strain.
Taking Action
Fortunately, there is a growing recognition that more action is needed to foster positive mental health in the police. For example, the International Association of Chiefs of Police has developed considerable resources for mental health and suicide prevention for police across the world.
In the U.S, organizations such as Blue H.E.L.P offer support for police officers and police families affected by mental distress and suicide. Similarly, individual police departments are taking action. For example, the Los Angeles Police Department has numerous full-time counselors and psychologists on staff that provide free counseling to officers, as well as an active officer-led peer support and mentoring program.
Another important action involves disseminating educational information containing stories of hope and recovery for police who may experience mental distress and suicidal ideation. This is recognized by the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, whose Senior Director of Communications Frances Gonzales states that:
“For every one person that dies by suicide, 280 people think seriously about suicide but go on with their lives. These stories of hope are not being told, but they're so vital and can help change the way we think about suicide and mental health.”
Engaging the Media and Entertainment Industry
Evidence suggests that the media and entertainment industry plays an influential role in shaping public attitudes and beliefs about suicide and mental illness. Indeed, my colleague (Dr. JiaWei Wang) and I recently examined television portrayals of mental illness over a three-year period, finding that only 9% have recovery as a theme.
This bleak picture does not reflect reality, as research shows most people with mental illness or suicidal ideation make an excellent recovery when provided with the right services and supports.
Thankfully, some screenwriters are starting to recognize the importance of providing accurate and educational portrayals of mental distress, suicidality, and treatment. This is manifest in a recent episode of the popular CBS law enforcement series S.W.A.T, entitled "Stigma."
This episode aired on April 8th, and I was granted a preview of this episode by CBS, alongside access to S.W.A.T. writer Ryan Keleher who led the episode’s development and research.
This particular episode follows several S.W.A.T team characters through their own mental health journeys, shedding light on common stressors and traumatic events, while documenting police-psychologist therapy sessions, and police-to-police peer support.
Without spoiling the plot, I can say that this episode deals with mental distress in police officers in a particularly poignant, hopeful and insightful manner — a far cry from the sensationalized melodramas often seen elsewhere on the big screen and the small screen.
Indeed, Karen Solomon, co-founder of Blue H.E.L.P was also given a sneak preview, and stated, "This episode stayed with me for a long time because it was so genuine, well-thought, and balanced." A trailer can be viewed below:
Importantly, the team behind S.W.A.T. reached out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline early on in the writing process to help build the episode. Moreover, the police-psychologist conversations woven into the episode are modeled after LAPD’s psychologist-led debriefings for police officers involved in traumatic events.
In other words, the episode is based on a meaningful collaboration between screenwriters and mental health/suicide experts, incorporating common realities rather than hackneyed clichés. This provides a unique collaborative model that could be used by screenwriters elsewhere to raise awareness and reduce stigma.
Indeed, S.W.A.T. writer Keleher noted: “We wanted to combat the stigma by showing our officers talking about their feelings openly — not only is it okay to talk about your mental health, sometimes it's essential … We hope to encourage anyone struggling to reach out for professional help, and to encourage others to reach out to at-risk individuals in their own lives."
Breaking the Silence
Mental distress and suicidality are public health issues, and no public health issue has been solved by silence. Instead, we need to talk more, talk better, and talk accurately about mental distress and suicidality. This includes discussing hopeful stories of recovery, hopeful stories of treatment, and hopeful stories of peer support.
This is especially important in organizations such as the police, where rates of mental distress may be higher than the general population, and informal codes of silence about mental distress and suicidality may still exist.
All this may be changing, thanks to the efforts of organizations such as Blue H.E.L.P, the International Association of Chiefs of Police, and individual police departments such as the LAPD.
Moreover, efforts by screenwriters, as witnessed in the upcoming episode of S.W.A.T., are also leading in the right direction, and can help to change the conversation towards one of hope, support, and recovery.
Long may this continue.
Readers can obtain 24-hour emotional support from national telephone helplines including the US National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255; Crisis Services Canada at 1-833-456-4566 (1-866-277-3553 in Quebec); and the UK Samaritans on 116 123. Readers elsewhere can obtain local helpline numbers and suicide prevention resources via the International Association for Suicide Prevention.
To find a therapist, visit the Psychology Today Therapy Directory.
