HARRIS COUNTY, Texas – The Harris County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that two deputies, Christina Kohler and retired deputy Maria Vasquez, died by suicide in separate incidents, Click2Houston reported.
Kohler died on March 13, with the Harris County Office of the Medical Examiner confirming her death as a suicide. Vasquez died March 16 in Montgomery, according to the report.
The deaths highlight the ongoing need for mental health support for first responders, according to the report. Dr. Ron Acierno, director of the Trauma and Resilience Center at UTHealth Houston, emphasized the importance of breaking the stigma around seeking help.
“Much like the veteran community and the active-duty community, the idea is to tough it out. Or whether it’s due to the fact that they just didn’t know the help was available, or didn’t think it could help,” Acierno told Click2Houston.
The center offers a free, statewide program providing evidence-based mental health treatment for first responders, according to the report. The remote program lasts 12 to 15 weeks and can be accessed by calling 713-486-2630 and leaving a message.
