WASHINGTON – Aug. 8, 2023 – The American Association of Suicidology (AAS), the world’s largest and nation’s oldest membership-based suicide prevention organization, has partnered with the Bureau of Justice Assistance’s National Suicide Awareness for Law Enforcement Officers (SAFLEO) Program to bring effective suicide prevention resources to law enforcement officers across the country.

The SAFLEO Program provides no-cost trainings, resources, and tailored assistance to law enforcement officers and agencies.

“We lose more officers to suicide than to on-duty traffic accidents and assaults – combined,” said Leeann Sherman, MPS, CAE, President and Chief Executive Officer of AAS. “This partnership with SAFLEO will get more life-saving resources into the hands of law enforcement officers across the country.”

SAFLEO Program Lead, Captain Brandon Post (retired), explained that “The SAFLEO mission is to provide meaningful resources to law enforcement professionals nationwide. We consider ourselves very fortunate to partner with AAS, who lends us their expertise to ensure that those resources save lives.”

According to Blue H.E.L.P., an organization that compiles information on law enforcement officers lost to suicide, the total number of officer suicides in 2022 was 170.

About American Association of Suicidology

The American Association of Suicidology is the world’s largest and nation’s oldest membership-based suicide prevention organization. Founded in 1968 by Edwin S. Shneidman, PhD, AAS promotes the research of suicide and its prevention, public awareness programs, public education and training for professionals and volunteers. The membership of AAS includes mental health and public health professionals, researchers, suicide prevention and crisis intervention centers, school districts, crisis center professionals, survivors of suicide loss, attempt survivors, and a variety of laypersons who have an interest in suicide prevention. Learn more about AAS at www.suicidology.org.

Responsible reporting on suicide, including stories of hope and resilience, can prevent more suicides and open the door for help for those in need. Visit the Media as Partners in Suicide Prevention: Suicide Reporting Recommendations for more details. For additional information, visit SuicideReportingToolkit.com and Stanford University’s Media and Mental Health Initiative. For crisis services anywhere in the world, please visit FindAHelpline.org and in the continental United States chat, text or call 988.

MEDIA CONTACT

Chris Cosentino
American Association of Suicidology
ccosentino@suicidology.org