Effects of a Comprehensive Police Suicide Prevention Program

Abstract

Background: Police suicides are an important problem, and many police forces have high rates. Montreal police suicide rates were slightly higher than other Quebec police rates in the 11 years before the program began (30.5/100,000 per year vs. 26.0/100,000). Aims: To evaluate Together for Life, a suicide prevention program for the Montreal police. Methods: All 4,178 members of the Montreal police participated. The program involved training for all officers, supervisors, and union representatives as well as establishing a volunteer helpline and a publicity campaign. Outcome measures included suicide rates, pre-post assessments of learning, focus groups, interviews, and follow-up of supervisors. Results: In the 12 years since the program began the suicide rate decreased by 79% (6.4/100,000), while other Quebec police rates had a nonsignificant (11%) increase (29.0/100,000). Also, knowledge increased, supervisors engaged in effective interventions, and the activities were highly appreciated. Limitations: Possibly some unidentified factors unrelated to the program could have influenced the observed changes. Conclusions: The decrease in suicides appears to be related to this program since suicide rates for comparable populations did not decrease and there were no major changes in functioning, training, or recruitment to explain the differences. Comprehensive suicide prevention programs tailored to the work environment may significantly impact suicide rates.

CDC Grand Rounds: Preventing Suicide Through a Comprehensive Public Health Approach

“…Together for Life, a multicomponent suicide prevention program targeted to Montreal police, includes a publicity campaign directed at officers, training of all units and supervisors on suicide risk and how to give support, and a telephone helpline. The program was associated with a 79% reduction in suicide rates over 12 years while police in a comparison group experienced no statistically significant changes (10).…”

Z delom povezani dejavniki tveganja za samomorilno vedenje, varovalni dejavniki in možnosti preventivnega delovanja

“…Vsi intervencije niso enako učinkovite v vseh kontekstih, obenem pa avtorji poudarjajo, da je večnivojski pristop najbolj ustrezen način preprečevanja samomora. Pomembno vlogo bi lahko med drugim imela ravno integracija različnih preventivnih ukrepov (Mishara in Martin, 2012), a bi bilo vprašanje interakcijskih učinkov sočasne izvedbe različnih aktivnosti potrebno še natančneje raziskati (van der Feltz-Cornelis idr., 2011). Medtem ko prva skupina intervencij poteka na ravni družbe in zajema komunikacijo s širšo javnostjo, se izvedba intervencij na ostalih treh ravneh osredotoča na specifične ciljne skupine in jih lahko prepoznamo znotraj aktivnosti preprečevanja samomora v kontekstu delovnega okolja.…”

Entre reconnaissance sociale et cohérence personnelle. Management des émotions chez les pompiers du Québec1

“…4 L'éthique et la santé au travail sont des thématiques largement documentées chez les policiers. À titre d'exemple, notons les travaux suivants : Miller, 2006;Mishara et Martin, 2012;Pogrebin et Poole, 1995;1991;St-Yves et Collins, 2011;St-Denis, 2012 b;2012c;2011a;2011 b;et Van Maanen, 1980. 5 L'expression « pompier volontaire » n'est plus en vigueur au Québec.…”

“…Cette discordance peut être majeure pour le professionnel. Elle peut mener à un abandon de la profession (St-Denis, 2012b) tout autant qu'à des conséquences psychologiques majeures telles que l'épuisement émotif et le burnout (Goodrum et Strafford, 2003;Mauro, 2009;St-Denis, 2011 b), l'état de choc post-traumatique (Miller, 2006;St-Denis, 2012 b;St-Yves et Collins, 2011;Weibull, 2011) et l'état suicidaire (Mishara et Martin, 2012 « Pompiers, on se voit pas, la plupart du monde qui sont pompiers, nous autres on connaît l'envers de la médaille là, tsé […] Ben nous autres on est… On est technicien. On a une job à faire.…”