One of the first things that needs to change is the stigma around seeking mental health support. Officers often fear that therapy or counseling could hurt their careers, so they stay silent. Departments need to create a culture where asking for help is seen as strength, not weakness. Peer support programs, where trained colleagues act as a first line of listening and guidance, can help normalize reaching out before it’s too late.
Access is another huge issue. Confidential, 24/7 hotlines specifically for first responders can make a difference, as can wellness units staffed by clinicians who actually understand the stresses of police and emergency work. More frequent mental health check-ins—beyond just after major traumatic incidents—could catch problems earlier. Some departments are beginning to require mandatory sessions after high-stress calls, not to punish officers but to give them a safe space to process what they’ve experienced.
The job itself takes a relentless toll. Repeated exposure to trauma, violence, and crises accumulates over time. Providing resilience training and regular debriefings could help officers unload some of that burden instead of carrying it silently. Families should also be included in the support system, because they often notice changes first—withdrawal, irritability, unhealthy coping—and could play a crucial role in encouraging early intervention if they’re given the tools.
On a broader level, more funding at the state and federal level could ensure even small departments can afford proper wellness programs. Better tracking of first responder suicides, which are often underreported, would give a clearer picture of the problem and help allocate resources effectively.
What Sheriff Gonzalez said—“When a deputy dies by suicide, it is particularly painful because I can’t help wondering what could have been said or done to help them”—captures the heartbreak and helplessness that so many leaders feel. It shows just how deeply these losses affect not only families but entire agencies.
