An officer with the New York Police Department died by suicide Tuesday evening—his death marks the tenth suicide of active and retired NYPD officers this year.
According to Time Magazine, the wife of the 33-year-old officer found him dead by suicide in their home in the Fresh Meadows neighborhood of Queens.
Commissioner James O'Neill has said that the department is in a mental health crisis that has led to an increase in reported suicides.
Editor's Note: If you or someone you know has ideation of suicide or is approaching crisis, please know that the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-8255), provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress. Safe Call Now (1-206-459-3020) offers those services specifically for first responders.
On a website maintained by BlueH.E.L.P.—an organization that tracks officer suicides while simultaneously seeking to prevent such tragedies from occurring—a first responder need only enter a few data points—such as their location and what kind of assistance is needed—and the individual will be provided with a list of options for help from a searchable database dedicated to helping first responders find emotional, financial, spiritual, and other forms of assistance.
