Mental Health: PTSD and Law Enforcement

/in , /by

Story from staff reports. Photo by Hal Goodtree.

Cary, NC – Randy Byrd, President of the Cary PBA, wrote to us to help spread the word about an upcoming seminar on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Suicide Prevention for Law Enforcement workers.

PTSD – From Depression to Suicide

PTSD is often associated with the military. It’s an emotional after-effect of going through a traumatic, life and death situation (like combat).

Everyone who goes through combat doesn’t experience PTSD. And PTSD isn’t just confined to soldiers.

Victims of crime, accident or the personnel that deal with the aftermath all can experience PTSD.

The effects of PTSD can range from depression, avoidance and reliving the event all the way to suicide.

For more information on PTSD, visit PubMed Health.

Law Enforcement and PTSD

Randy sent us the following eye-opening statistics:

  • More officers die each year by their own hands than are killed in the line of duty.
  • Law enforcement suicide is seldom addressed or acknowledged by law enforcement agencies.
  • Each day an officer makes the choice to take his/her own life.
  • The effects of law enforcement suicides are long lasting to both the officer’s family and the department.
  • Of the nation’s approximately 18,000 law enforcement agencies, only about 2% have policies or programs that address law enforcement PTSD or suicide prevention.

Behind the Badge – a PTSD & Suicide Prevention Seminar

The North Carolina Division of the Southern States PBA, Inc. and the Police Benevolent Foundation, Inc. have partnered with the In Harm’s Way Suicide Prevention Program and Mississippi LEAPS Program to educate law enforcement administrators, law enforcement officers and their family members, and those in the community about the hidden dangers of PTSD and its connection to the high rate of law enforcement suicide.

On Friday, May 6th, the Foundation in conjunction with Hope Community Church and Wake Tech Community College is conducting an informational seminar about the effects of PTSD and law enforcement suicide.  This event will be held at the Hope Community Church in Raleigh, NC.  This seminar is absolutely free, and it is extremely valuable in its potential for saving lives and careers.

This course is certified for 6-hrs of Education Credit by Wake Tech Community College.

Event Details

Behind the Badge – PTSD & Suicide Prevention Seminar
Friday, May 6th – Hope Community Church
821 Buck Jones Road – Raleigh, NC
Cost: Free
9:00AM – 5:00 PM

Register Online

For more information, email Randy Byrd.