Editor’s note: If you or someone you know is struggling or having thoughts of suicide, you are not alone — and help is always available. Call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline to connect with a trained counselor, or chat online at 988lifeline.org. Whether you’re seeking support for yourself or someone you care about, please know that it’s never too late to reach out. You deserve help. You deserve hope. Someone is ready to listen.
A New Jersey state trooper murdered his ex-girlfriend, her new partner, and then himself in a tragic case of relationship stress turned deadly. This tragedy highlights how relationship breakdowns can escalate for responders and why spotting warning signs of suicidality is a critical wellness intervention.
In this episode of The Brief: Wellness Edition, Emily Hitchings and Greg Friese discuss three recent murder-suicides that involved law enforcement officers and the implications for law enforcement leaders and personnel. They bring a wellness focus to these incidents to discuss warning signs of suicide risk and explore how early interventions can save lives.
“We have to start doing better with recognizing signs and symptoms of people struggling with suicide or homicidal ideation. Suicide prevention and intervention is everyone’s responsibility.”
| Webinar: Breaking the silence — debunking myths about suicide in public safety
How does your agency measure up when it comes to wellness? Lexipol’s Wellness solutions help agencies deliver anonymous, 24/7 support, enhance peer support team readiness, and build a culture of wellness. Contact Lexipol at 844-312-9500 to learn more or request a demo.
About The Brief: Wellness Edition
The Brief: Wellness Edition video series explores the wellness implications of current events for public safety professionals. Each episode brings a timely conversation that connects unfolding events to the day-to-day realities of first responders.
