Suicide Prevention Signpost Helps EPS Employees Navigate Challenging Roads of Life
Coming together for EPS employees: Lahn Jones from Living Hope, Retired Superintendent Gary Jones, Acting Inspector Brenda Dalziel, Chief Dale McFee, Chaplain Lawrence Peck, and Detective Michael Elliot (President of the Edmonton Police Association).
Written by Chad Orydzuk
The Edmonton Police Service has a progressive employee assistance program, but felt they needed to talk more openly and safely about mental health and the stigma of suicide.
For police officers who are used to being pillars of strength in the community, it can be hard to shift roles, and ask for help when facing stress or a mental health crisis.
Officers are trained for the challenges of policing, but over time, these stressful situations take a toll on their physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing.
Despite the high-risk nature of their work, studies have shown that police officers are more likely to die by suicide than in the line of duty.
Studies also found that officers hesitated to seek help because they feared being perceived as weak, which makes matters worse when suffering through a mental health crisis.
Civilian employees in policing environments suffer from similar stress, fatigue, and depression related to their jobs, and from the pressures outside of work as well.
Because it is so easy to become overwhelmed, to feel helpless and hopeless, and lose direction – EPS partnered with Living Hope to create a signpost to help employees see the warning signs of suicide and better navigate the roads of life.
The signpost is a symbolic reminder that we are all together on this journey, and we need to be able to ask for help with directions to avoid making a wrong turn.
The sign’s words were thoughtfully chosen to encourage employees to talk more openly about their challenges and seek a more positive direction.
The new Suicide Prevention Signpost was unveiled at an employee wellness event at EPS headquarters on September 16, 2019, during Suicide Awareness Month.
Similar signposts have since been installed at each EPS division station as a constant reminder to employees that support is available, and as a memorial to those lost to the senseless tragedy of suicide.
“Preventing suicide takes all of us to care and to act. Let’s continue to build awareness and a safe environment for employees to share their troubles. Let’s reach out and help others struggling to carry their burdens. Most importantly, let’s help them find their way, and restore their hope for the future.”