Law Enforcement SuicideTactics for Prevention

and Intervention

“Making Strides to Save Lives.”

The Tragedy of Suicide….The Tragedy of Suicide….

Death rarely allows for elegant departures and Death rarely allows for elegant departures and tidy farewells. It comes between people tidy farewells. It comes between people randomly. Someone is left with the anguish of randomly. Someone is left with the anguish of having been left unilaterally and unfairly. having been left unilaterally and unfairly. The leaving is not so bad when there is an The leaving is not so bad when there is an agreed understanding beforehand, when there agreed understanding beforehand, when there is time and space for a goodbye. It’s when is time and space for a goodbye. It’s when there is no goodbye, or worse, a bad goodbye, there is no goodbye, or worse, a bad goodbye, that death becomes hateful, leaving one with a that death becomes hateful, leaving one with a feeling of incompletion and irresolution. feeling of incompletion and irresolution.

~ Alla Bozarth-Campbell, Ph.D. ~

Suicide

• A permanent solution to a temporary situation…..

• “The Forever Decision”

• “Officers of the law are twice as likely to put a gun to their heads as be killed by someone else, and yet they are trained as if exactly the opposite were true.”

• [Turvey]

Ralph Slovenko

• “Approximately 80 percent of suicides have communicated their intent…...”

• From the forward of Dr. John Violanti’s book, “Police Suicide;Epidemic in Blue”

Paul Quinnett, Ph.D.Executive Director – QPR Institute

• “Now that we know suicide is preventable, the race is between education

and tragedy.”

The Experts Speak

• “Although suicide is always complex and multifactorial, most experts feel the majority of suicides remain preventable.”

Dr. Paul Quinnett, FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin

The “Real Truth”

• Not a very pretty picture but the facts are:

• Police officers are 8 times more likely to die from suicide than homicide.

• 3 times more likely to die from suicide than from accidental causes.

• What is the true survival skill we seem to be missing?

What we know…. and don’t know

• United States Law Enforcement Personnel as of October 2000

• 708,000 Full Time Sworn Officers (State, County, and City)

U.S. Department of Justice

Bureau of Justice Statistics – Oct. 2002

John Violanti, Ph.D. and The L.A. County Sheriff’s Department

• Dr. Violanti – Through data and research at the University of Buffalo feels the rate for law enforcement is 17-21 per 100,000

• Los Angeles County Sheriff puts the L.E. rate at 18 per 100,000

At 700,000 + Sworn Law Enforcement Officers

• At 18 per 100,000 the yearly total would be 126 to 130 law enforcement suicides per year

• At 21 per 100,000 the total would be 147

The Magnitude of the Problem

• NYPD (1985-98) Suicides =87, LODD=36 Compared to the National Rate: +29.1%

• Chicago PD (1990-98) Suicides =22 LODD=12 Compared to the National Rate: + 50.9%

• FBI (1993-98) Suicides =18, LODD= 4 Compared to the National Rate: + 116.6%

• LAPD (1990-98) Suicides =20, LODD=11 Compared to National Rate: + 72.5%

Ranked Factors in Law Enforcement suicide

• Responses by NYPD Survey

• Depression

• Relationship conflicts or personal losses

• Easy access to firearms

• Drug and alcohol abuse

• Financial difficulty

• Internal investigations

A Word About Depression…The #1 cause of completed suicide

The common cold of modern life….

• Has biological foundations - Serotonin

• Very highly treatable if detected and acknowledged

• Wishing to be dead is a frequent symptom of untreated depression

A word about alcohol…

• Alcohol dissolves the “wall of resistance” that often keeps suicidal individuals alive.

• Alcohol is found in the blood of most completed suicides – whether or not they were problem drinkers.

• ALCOHOL MAKES DEPRESSION WORSE!

The Myths of Suicide

• Happens without warning

• Low Risk after mood improvement

• Once suicidal, always suicidal

• Is intent on dying

• It’s so rare, they won’t do it

• Runs in the family

• No note – not a suicide

Don’t ignore these behaviors

• May be more aggressive when handling serious calls or situations – risk taking behavior

• Cries often• Seems more agitated or nervous• Letters or communications to close friends outlining

wishes if, “Something happens to me.” • Seems to lose their love of the profession / becomes

disillusioned• Giving away possessions• Has tried to commit suicide before

Verbal Clues

• I wish I were dead• I’m going to kill myself• I can’t take the way I feel any longer • I’m really getting tired of life• There is no meaning for anything anymore• I just can’t take the pain• You’d be better off without me• Nobody needs me anymore

Do’s of Intervention

• Remain Calm – Don’t seem shocked• Help define the problem• Rephrase thoughts• Focus on central issue• Stay close• Emphasize the temporary nature of the problem• LISTEN***LISTEN***LISTEN

Important Questions

• Have you been thinking of killing yourself?• How would you do it? Do you have the

means available?• Has anyone in your family committed

suicide?• What are the odds you will kill yourself?• What has been keeping you alive so far?• What does the future hold for you?

The Do Nots of Intervention

• DON”T OVERLOOK THE SIGNS !

• Don’t sound shocked

• Don’t offer empty promises

• Never debate morality

• Never leave the person alone

• Don’t remain the only person helping

“Reach Out with Hope”

• VIDEO

Law Enforcement Suicide Prevention and Intervention

with the QPR Model

• Question the meaning of suicidal communication.

• Persuade the person to get help.

• Refer to competent counseling.

QPR Introduction

(CD)

QPR

• Ask a question…..Save a life!

QPR

• QPR is not intended to be a form of counseling or treatment.

• QPR is intended to offer hope through positive action.

QPR – Suicide Myths and Facts

• Myth No one can stop a suicide, it is inevitable.

• FactThe majority of people in crisis who get the help they need

will never be suicidal again.

QPR - Suicide Myths and facts

• Myth Confronting a person about suicide will only make them angry and increase the risk of suicide

• Fact Asking someone directly about suicidal intent lowers anxiety,

opens up communications, and lowers the risk of an impulsive act.

QPR - Myths and Facts

• Myth Only Experts can prevent suicide

• Fact Suicide prevention is everybody’s business and anyone, with

training, can prevent the tragedy of suicide.

QPR – Myths and Facts

• MythSuicidal people keep their plans to themselves

• Fact Most suicidal people communicate their intent to someone within

one week of completing suicide

QPR – Myths and Facts

• MythThose who talk about suicide just won’t do it.

• Fact Those who talk about suicide may try or even complete an act of

self destruction.

QPR – Myths and Facts

• MythOnce a person decides to complete suicide, there is nothing anyone

can do to stop them.

• Fact Suicide is viewed as the most preventable form of death and

almost any positive action may save a life.

Suicide Warning Signs

• The more clues and signs observed, the greater the risk. Take all signs seriously.

Direct Verbal Clues

• “I’ve decided to kill myself.”

• “I wish I were dead.”

• “I’m going to commit suicide.”

• “I’m going to end it all.”

• “If (such and such) doesn’t happen I’m going to kill myself

Indirect or “Coded” Clues

• “I’m so tired of life I just can’t go on.”• “My family would be better off without

me.”• “Who cares if I’m dead anyway.”• “I just want out.”• “I won’t be around much longer.”• “Pretty soon you won’t have to worry about

me.”

QPR….Behavioral Clues

• Any previous suicide attempt• Stockpiling pills• Co-occuring depression, moodiness, hopelessness• Putting personal affairs in order• Giving away prized possessions• Sudden interest or disinterest in religion• Drug or alcohol abuse or relapse after period of

recovery

Situational Clues

• Being terminated or an IA investigation• A recent unwanted move• Loss of any major relationship (red flag)• Death of a close loved one or cherished friend

especially if by suicide• Diagnosis of a serious or terminal illness• Sudden unexpected loss of freedom / fear of

punishment• Anticipated loss of financial security

Situational Clues, cont.

• Loss of a cherished therapist or counselor.

• A fear of becoming a burden to others.

Tips for asking the suicide question…

• If in doubt, don’t wait, ask the question.• If the person is reluctant, be persistent• Find a private setting for your talk• Allow the person to talk freely• Give yourself plenty of time• Know what resources you have. QPR Card,

phone numbers, counselors names and numbers, etc.

REMEMBER…………..

• HOW YOU ASK THE QUESTION IS LESS IMPORTANT THAN THAT YOU ASK.

How to Ask the Suicide Question-Less Direct Approach-

• “Have you been unhappy lately?” “Have you been very unhappy lately?” “Have you been so unhappy lately that you’ve been thinking of ending your life?”

• “Do you ever wish you could go to sleep and never wake up?”

The Suicide Question-Direct Approach-

• “You know, when people are as upset as you seem to be, they sometimes wish they were dead.” I’m wondering if you feel that way too?”

• You look pretty miserable. Have you been thinking of killing yourself ?”

• “Are you thinking about killing yourself ?”(If you can’t ask the question, find someone who can)

P = PersuadeHow to persuade someone to stay alive

• Listen to the problem with your full attention.

• Remember, suicide is not the problem, only the solution to a perceived insoluble problem.

• Do not rush judgment.

• Offer hope in any form.

P = PersuadeThen Ask:

• “Will you go with me to get help ?”

• “Will you let me help you get help?”

• “We’re in this together, let’s get you back on track”

YOUR WILLINGNESS TO LISTEN AND HELP CAN REKINDLE HOPE AND MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE!!

R = Refer

• Suicidal people sometimes feel they can’t be helped so you may have to do more.

• The best referral involves taking the person to immediate help.

Remember

• Since almost all efforts to persuade someone to live instead of attempt suicide will be met with agreement and relief, don’t hesitate to get involved or take the lead.

Very Important!!

• In a suicide intervention, you will use your communication skills.

• Patience, compassion, understanding, and listening skills will all come into play.

• INSURE you have a plan in place and a competent, qualified mental health professional identified.

For Effective QPR

• Say, “I want you to live, or “I’m on your side….we’ll get through this.”

• Get others involved. Ask the person who else might help. Family? Friends? Brothers or Sisters? Clergy? Physician?

For Effective QPR

• Offer to work with the MHP or whoever will be assisting the person toward recovery.

• Follow up with a simple visit, phone call, or card. Let them know you care about them. Caring may save a life.

Please Remember

• WHEN YOU APPLY THE CONCEPTS OF QPR, YOU PLANT THE SEEDS OF HOPE. HOPE HELPS PREVENT SUICIDE.

“Rolling Backup”Video