Suicide Statistics
Since January 1, 2016, 1st H.E.L.P. has been compiling a list of first responders lost to suicide; this information includes corrections and federal officers of all duty status. In 2019, 1st H.E.L.P. began collecting suicide data on all first responders; firefighters, emergency medical personnel, and 911 Telecommunicators are honored for their service.
“If you had a friend, a relative, or a loved one that could not see the light at the end of the tunnel, would you go sit with them in the dark?” – Kevin M. Lynch, Founder
The First Responder Resilience Project’s mission is to normalize a new culture for mental wellness in the first responder community by building resilient mindsets at work, home, and into retirement through trusted and proven educational resources.
Data Analysis
In late 2023, the CNA Corporation began collaborating with the nonprofit organization First H.E.L.P. to examine and analyze the data it has amassed on law enforcement and correctional officer deaths by suicide. First H.E.L.P.’s efforts represent a notable stride toward comprehensively collecting reliable and valid data on this challenging issue, marking one of the most extensive efforts undertaken in this area. This research brief presents analyses of the 1,287 deaths by suicide of law enforcement and correctional officers from 2016 to 2022, offering descriptive information categorized by the year of occurrence, agency details, geographic location, demographic attributes, position specifics, help-seeking behaviors, life challenges the person encountered before their death, and details about the death event.
If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis or having thoughts of suicide, please know that help is available. You can reach out to the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988 to connect with a trained crisis counselor for immediate support and access to resources. Please remember, seeking help is a sign of strength, and you are not alone.
We only post with permission!
We do not post the names and faces of all officers without permission of the family. Suicide is a different type of death and grief and we respect the privacy requested by the families. We will not betray their trust.
We do not pull coroner reports or medical records. In some case, permission of the family is required and there is a fee associated with it. While we engage researchers to assist us, we are not a research organization and use this information for awareness and family support.
Our numbers are rolling numbers, as new deaths and data points are reported, the number is adjusted accordingly.