CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QC Life) - September is National Suicide Prevention Month, and we are shining a light on an important but often overlooked issue: suicide among police officers. Deputy Chief Zerubabel Chickoree of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department and Fonda Bryant, founder of Wellness Action Recovery join QC Life to discuss the mental-health challenges officers face. Suicide is the leading cause of death among police officers, and their risk is estimated to be 54% higher than that of American workers overall.
Fonda Bryant has spent more than four years providing QPR - Question, Persuade, Refer suicide-prevention training to CMPD rookie officers. What began with the department’s 194th recruit class has grown to include 11 classes and 403 officers, who have become certified QPR Gatekeepers equipped to recognize warning signs and help save lives - including their own.
The next training is scheduled for October 12 with the 205th class. The recruits have gone from being quiet and reserved about mental health to having engaging conversations that can make a difference.
Call 988 if you or a loved one is seeking help.
To learn more visit www.wellnessactionrecovery.org.
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