Fargo Police raise awareness about officer mental health during Suicide Prevention Awareness Month
Fargo, North Dakota – The Fargo Police Department is highlighting the importance of mental health support for law enforcement officers as National Law Enforcement Suicide Awareness Day is observed during Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.
The department acknowledged that suicide can be a difficult subject to discuss but stressed that having conversations about mental health can make a meaningful difference. Police officers can experience difficult situations and high levels of stress through their work, and those experiences may continue to affect them both while they are on duty and in their personal lives.
Talking openly about these challenges can help reduce the stigma that may prevent someone from seeking assistance. It can also make it easier for officers to notice signs that they or a colleague could benefit from additional support.
Fargo Police offer several wellness resources
Officer wellness remains an ongoing priority within the Fargo Police Department. One of the resources available is the department’s Peer Support Team, which gives officers an opportunity to speak with fellow officers who understand the demands and challenges connected to law enforcement work.
The department’s wellness program also includes annual mental health check ins. Officers have access to licensed mental health professionals as well as chaplain support.
A Health & Wellness Coordinator is also part of the department’s staff and helps officers connect with resources and services when support is needed.
Fargo Police emphasized that wellness includes officers looking after one another. That can mean checking on colleagues, taking time to ask how someone is doing, and making sure department members understand that resources are available when they need assistance.
The department also connected officer wellness with the ability to serve the wider Fargo community. Officers who have appropriate support and resources for their own well-being can be better prepared to respond to the needs of other people.
The message comes as September is recognized as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, providing an opportunity to encourage conversations about mental health and the importance of seeking help.
For Fargo Police, the broader message is that caring for the people working within the department is also an important part of caring for the community they serve.
