About Us
After 9/11 and again after the Boston Marathon bombings, society’s understanding of law enforcement, the dangers they face, and the psychological impact that it creates progressed for a few years, but there was a not-so-gradual regression back to old expectations. Officers are expected never to show weakness, always be in control, not take things personally, and, at all costs, hold that line.
Officers must do whatever it takes to make it home at the end of their shift. But what about when they’ve made it home? It’s no longer just surviving the streets. Officers are just as susceptible to a life-threatening danger under their own roofs. It’s just at the hands of a different adversary. An adversary that’s claiming the life of another officer every 3 days. In 2024 alone, the estimated number of law enforcement suicides was at least 103 officers, though the actual number is believed to be much higher.
In the academy and again during an officer’s field training program, it is drilled into their head that if they can’t respond to a scene safely and effectively, they aren’t doing anyone any good and potentially creating another victim: themselves. Why do we not apply this same concept to officer mental health?
After various personal and on-the-job experiences, Shayne Melton, founder and CEO of My LEO Wellness, made it his mission to raise awareness about law enforcement officer post-traumatic stress disorder and suicide, as well as show support for initiatives focused on suicide prevention and intervention.
In doing so, Melton first decided to illustrate the traumas that officers face through a very personal and intimate account of his own mental health journey in the form of an autobiography, titled When the Threat Follows Us Home: A Cop's Story. The book serves as much as a reflection for him as he hopes it is a message of hope for others.
Melton then created an 8-hour in-person training course for law enforcement administrators, supervisors, officers, and family members, providing attendees crucial information about law enforcement stress, PTSD, suicide prevention and intervention, and resources.
Finally, Melton founded the nonprofit organization, My LEO Wellness, continuing his mission through a grassroots effort of promoting officer mental wellness, PTSD awareness, and suicide prevention through education. My Leo Wellness strives to provide crucial information to assist officers in crisis and their families, assuring them that they are not alone.
The Cause
In 2019, more than 239 officers died by suicide, compared to 132 line-of-duty deaths that same year. This included 34 retired officers.
In 2018, 182 officers died by suicide. 91% were male; 63% of those males were single, 11% were military veterans, and 30% had a documented PTSD diagnosis. The average age was 42, with the average length of law enforcement service being 16 years.
In December 2018 alone, 22 officers died by suicide. In contrast, there were 10 line-of-duty deaths that same month.
California, Florida, New York, and Texas suffer from the highest rates of law enforcement suicides, with each reporting around 10 in 2018.
The New York City Police Department received national attention in 2018 for its high rate of officer suicides. The NYPD Commissioner declared a mental health crisis after the suicide deaths of nine of their officers, all within that one year.
In 2020, the Law Enforcement Suicide Data Collection Act was passed, aiming to help agencies better understand and prevent suicides among current and former law enforcement officers.
In 2022, the Federal Bureau of Investigation began maintaining this data through the Uniform Crime Reporting System (UCR).
The FBI collects the following information regarding each officer who dies by suicide: circumstances and events that occurred before the suicide, general location, demographic information, occupational category, and the method used in each suicide.
Many believe these statistics do not reflect the actual number of officer suicides because many suicides are reported or classified as accidental deaths. This makes it difficult to know the true magnitude of law enforcement suicides down to the exact number.
Some studies show that law enforcement is at a higher risk of suicide than any other profession.
Officers may experience strong reactions immediately following a crisis event. It is common and normal for officers to experience stress reactions. Sometimes, these stress reactions appear immediately after the event, but may take a few hours or days to appear.
Stress reactions are commonly short-term. Depending on the event's severity, the signs and symptoms of the stress reaction may last a few days, weeks, or months. With the support of family, friends, and peers, stress reactions typically pass on their own.
Acute Stress Disorder (ASD) is another temporary mental health condition that develops after experiencing a traumatic event. It typically occurs within the first month following the trauma.
Treatment for ASD typically involves psychotherapy, medications, and support groups. Most people with ASD recover within a few months with proper treatment. However, if symptoms persist for more than a month, it may indicate the development of Post-traumatic stress disorder.
The definition of Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is persistent mental and emotional stress occurring because of injury and/or severe psychological shock. PTSD is referred to as the long-term aftermath of trauma.
Behavioral signs of PTSD are the inability to sleep, nightmares, intrusive memories, physical reactions to places or other things associated with an event, always feeling on guard, being overly suspicious and paranoid, withdrawing from family and friends, and no longer wanting to be out in public.
Common causes of officer PTSD are officer-involved shootings, line-of-duty injuries, co-worker line-of-duty deaths, death scenes, fatality collisions, lack of agency support, toxic administrations, heavy scrutiny by society, and negative media attention.
PTSD has been shown to lead to a higher risk of suicidal ideations and completed suicides. Studies suggest that the more traumatic experiences an officer has suffered, the higher the risk becomes.
PTSD is often identified as the effects of trauma experienced during a single or specific event. However, law enforcement PTSD is different and manifests over time, resulting from many trauma-related experiences throughout a career. This is known as cumulative PTSD, otherwise referred to as cumulative career traumatic stress (CCTS).
Cumulative PTSD can be more dangerous than generalized PTSD because cumulative PTSD is more likely to go unnoticed and untreated.
When an event occurs, such as an officer-involved shooting or death, many departments have protocols and personnel in place to help officers.
However, the build-up of events that arise throughout an officer’s career generally do not warrant specialized attention. As a result, an officer with cumulative PTSD is less likely to receive treatment.
Cumulative PTSD symptoms include recurring memories of incidents, images or thoughts, difficulty concentrating, losing temper often, difficulties going to sleep and staying asleep, being jumpy, and restlessness.
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), as many as 19% of Law Enforcement Officers experience symptoms of PTSD, compared to 3.5% of the general population. Other studies cite that as much as 35% of officers meet the criteria for PTSD.
Couple PTSD with personal variables, such as childhood upbringing, home life, relationship problems, financial troubles, death of loved ones, physical illnesses, and preexisting mental health issues, and you have the perfect storm.
Pour a bottle of alcohol and/or opioids on top of that, and you have a cocktail for disaster.
Substance abuse as a means to cope can lead to a downward spiral in which both work performance and relationships suffer. It then increases feelings of stress and depression, which leads to further substance abuse.
Alcohol can dissolve the wall of resistance that often keeps suicidal individuals alive. Alcohol and drugs are found in the blood of most completed suicides, whether or not they were problem drinkers or had a drug addiction.
Common signs of a person battling suicidal ideations are poor appetite, sudden weight loss, sleep disturbances, a loss of interest in hobbies and activities, loss of energy, feelings of worthlessness, appearance suddenly becoming neglected, fatigue, and illusions.
Common precipitators of suicidal ideations are an accumulation of chronic stressors, exposure to horrific events or acute stressors, loss of relationship due to divorce or death, high expectations of the profession, significant financial strain causing an inability to pay bills or support families, diagnosis of a life-threatening or terminal illness, internal affairs investigations, and a substantial change in routine, such as an upcoming retirement.
Retiring officers may face uncertainty about this change in how they identify. A separation from years of service can impact the mental health of a retiring officer or an officer who has recently retired.
Officers who become disabled, including officers becoming disabled at a very young age or early in their careers, may also experience emotional and mental health challenges.
Despite the prevalence of PTSD, depression, and suicide amongst law enforcement, there is a stigma attached to asking for help. Many officers view asking for help as a sign of weakness and fear that talking about their mental health will result in criticism from other officers or the administration, career setbacks, or termination.
The fact is that the majority of people who feel suicidal do not actually want to die. They just want their current situation to end or the way they're feeling to stop. They’ve convinced themselves that suicide is the only solution. That is why talking to an officer about other options at the right time is so vital.
Administration and supervisors should obtain suicide prevention and intervention training and make certain this information is available to all staff.
Administration and supervisors should encourage the use of resources such as chaplains, peer support, Employee Assistance Programs (EAP), and counseling.
Ensure officers feel they will be given assistance and support when they bring a problem forward.
The Key to Prevention
Law enforcement officers are the first on scene of many dangerous and life-threatening situations on a daily basis. This continuous recurrence can lead to increased stress, anxiety, and other strains on an officer’s mental health.
In addition to the threat of physical harm, officers witness many disturbing scenes such as acts of terrorism, mass casualties, murder, suicide, child abuse, domestic violence, fatality collisions, and natural disasters
On average, a Law Enforcement Officer witnesses 188 critical incidents throughout their career. This repeated exposure to traumatic events can lead to many mental health issues including a higher risk of suicidal ideations.
If an agency has not suffered an officer suicide, it should not wait for one to occur. Studies show that for every suicide that is completed, there are as many as 25 attempts. Officers should be given the mental health support and resources they deserve.
Law enforcement officers should be trained in suicide prevention throughout their careers and how to recognize indicators and warning signs of chronic stress and mental health issues within themselves and their fellow officers.
Officers should be taught self-care, stress management, and general well-being and provided successful intervention methods, such as appropriate actions to take when an at-risk officer is recognized.
Family
Family members are invaluable in identifying and mitigating the effects of mental illness and in preventing suicidal behavior and death by suicide. Programs such as family training, meetings, and networks are important for family members to understand how they can support their loved one.
Self-Care
If you or a loved one is experiencing a mental health crisis, please tell someone. Reach out to a trusted family member, friend, clergy member, co-worker, or supervisor. Always remember that it’s OK not to be OK. To maintain your well-being, please seek assistance from a mental health professional, utilize employee assistance programs, and take advantage of available stress management techniques. Consider individual or group therapy sessions with a licensed therapist specializing in first-responder mental health.
Take steps towards happiness. Celebrate small victories. Look for progress, not perfection. Take care of yourself, and don’t let toxic people take up space in your mind. Cherish your family and friends. Have at least one friend who is not in law enforcement. Create an outside hobby that is not law enforcement-related (i.e., not the gun range). Eat healthy and exercise regularly. Get plenty of sleep when possible. Remember to STOP and have fun at least one day a week. Go on that vacation you have been putting off. You’ve earned it!
Exercise self-discipline and see yourself succeed. Counter a negative thought with a positive solution. Whatever you do, don’t let your negative thoughts pile up. Learn to empty the mind. And most importantly, DO NOT let your career define who you are.