The Police Benevolent Foundation continues its mission to save lives

Since its inception in 2009, the Foundation’s Behind the Badge PTSD and suicide prevention program has conducted six free seminars attended by hundreds of law enforcement officers and their family members. These seminars are conducted in partnership with the In Harm’s Way and Mississippi LEAPS programs. They are uniquely designed to provide pragmatic, tangible information and resources for combating the instances of law enforcement suicide. Each presenter brings both personal and professional experiences that construct their perspective that is vital in reducing the deadly trend. The Raleigh seminar was conducted with the collaboration and participation of the Hope Community Church. Because of their connection and support of law enforcement, HCC decided to serve as a community partner for this event after a law enforcement family within their church body was affected by this silent killer. Because of the scarcity in law enforcement programs for PTSD and suicide prevention, a wife and newborn were left to deal in the aftermath of this tragedy.

In Charleston, South Carolina, the Foundation partnered with Charleston Southern University to provide training and information for scores of officers and administrators who attended the seminar. In recognition of Police Week, the local members of the Low Country chapter of the SCPBA also conducted a memorial tribute for fallen officers. The tribute recognized officers who fell in the line of duty and also officers who died as a result of suicide.
The Foundation is proud to have accepted the responsibility of not just responding to officers during times of tragedy, but we have also taken an active role in saving the lives of officers – even from their own demise. PTSD is treatable. Suicide is preventable. With the help and support of our community, we can begin to shift the stigma attached to need for mental and emotional assistance. After all, when our bodies are sick, we seek healing. When our brains are sick, we should feel comfortable enough to seek the same care and attendance we would if it were one of our other major organs – heart, lungs, kidneys, and the like.

For more information about the Behind the Badge program or any of our partner programs, please visit our website: behindthebadge. Check out our upcoming seminar in Asheville, NC on Friday, June 17th. At the Asheville-Buncombe Community College.