The newest phase of our suicide prevention effort is to educate as many Police Officers as possible on suicide Awareness / “Red Flags.”
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POPPA has developed the Suicide Awareness for Emergency Responders (S.A.F.E.R.) program. Our goal is to educate as many police officers as possible so they may identify risk factors and warning signs among police peers, know how to engage and establish rapport quickly in order to respond to a colleague, family member, or loved one who may be in crisis, and have resources to help an officer who may be struggling.
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POPPA has been offering full-day S.A.F.E.R. training to any NYPD officer and his or her family members, as well as other first responders on an approximately monthly basis. There is never a charge for police or any first responders, or their families. POPPA has also extended this offer to clinicians and others (such as teachers) who may be likely to encounter individuals in crisis.
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Anyone can learn the specific skills to respond to a person in crisis. The willingness to step-up and help an individual, especially another officer, is inherent in the character of every police officer. Police officers and other emergency workers respond best when they feel understood by their respective peers. This is the key to peer support programs. However, family members, friends and other loved ones can provide a lifeline to someone in crisis when they apply the principles, skills, and strategies learned through the POPPA S.A.F.E.R. program.
