At least 228 police officers died by suicide in 2019, according to Blue H.E.L.P., a Massachusetts-based nonprofit that tracks suicides among law enforcement professionals across the United States. According to its leadership, that’s more than were killed in the line of duty that year, and the highest number the group has reported since it began reporting law enforcement suicides in 2016.

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The President and Co-Founder of Blue H.E.L.P., Karen Solomon, says the organization tracks data and focuses on suicide prevention. They aim to erase the stigma of asking for help, as well as support families in the aftermath of officer suicide.

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Noting that the families of officers who have taken their own lives often don’t receive support from their loved-one’s departments, she says, “They don’t get their name on a wall, they don’t get to go to police week, they don’t get grief camps, so that’s kind of where we’ve tried to step in.”

Watch the video above to learn more about Blue H.E.L.P. and its mission, then visit bluehelp.org to find out how you can help.

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If you or someone you know is talking about suicide, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.

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