An officer facing a personal crisis may be reluctant to turn to traditional or employer-sponsored counseling or mental health services because of the very real fear of severe repercussions to his/her career and reputation. Peer counseling may not be protected by legal privilege. An attorney, church leader, or other person protected by legal privilege may be able to help make confidential and discreet arrangements.

You should not ignore any warning signs in yourself or someone else. You should get help or encourage others to seek help, and offer to help instead of standing by while a situation spirals out of control.

The American Association of Suicidology has created a mnemonic (“IS PATH WARM”) to identify warning signs that someone may be contemplating suicide:

I – Ideation
S – Substance Abuse

P – Purposelessness
A – Anxiety
T – Trapped
H – Hopelessness

W – Withdrawal
A – Anger
R – Recklessness
M – Mood Changes

SAFE CALL NOW. Safe Call Now is a confidential, comprehensive, 24-hour crisis referral service for all public safety employees, all emergency services personnel and their families nationwide.

206-459-3020                             www.safecallnow.org

This should not be construed as advice for any specific situation. Please call for specific legal advice based on the unique facts of your situation.

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