Suicide Prevention Resources for First Responders

The first responder items included in the activation kit are organized into the separate categories and are customized by first responder specialty (law enforcement or fire/emergency medical services). The resources are intended to be shared with first responder agency leadership to be customized and distributed to their personnel.

The Suicide Prevention for First Responders Webinar highlighted the first responder suicide prevention resources available as part of the 2019 Suicide Prevention Week Activation Toolkit. The webinar also explored strategies for supporting and engaging first responder agencies in suicide prevention efforts, with personal testimonies from Captain Jim Collins (Retired, San Diego Police Department) and Ken Katz (American Ambulance).

Suicide Prevention among First Responders: Data Brief and Talking Points provides an overview summarizing the issues of suicide and suicide prevention among first responders. Included in the briefing is background information about risk and protective factors experienced by first responders, data briefing on suicide behaviors among first responders, and suggested actions for engaging first responders in suicide prevention efforts.

The First Responder Suicide Prevention Week Poster has been adapted to include crisis resources specific to first responders and images that identify with first responders. There are two versions of the poster with one version highlighting #SuicidePreventionWeek2019, and the other version of the poster simply highlighting #SuicidePrevention to be used anytime during the year.

• #SuicidePreventionWeek2019 Poster (first responders)
  
  • E-version
  • Print ready
• #SuicidePrevention Poster (first responders)
  
  • E-version
  • Print ready

The First Responder Suicide Prevention Program Assessment is intended to be used by first responder agencies to help evaluate and assess their current efforts to address suicide prevention based upon best practices outlined by leading national entities (IACP, IAFF).

The First Responder Suicide Risk Screening Tool is intended to be a quick reference resource for use by first responder in the field to assist in screening for suicide risk and providing suicide prevention and crisis resources. Also included are crisis resources directed to support first responders.

• First Responder Suicide Risk Screening Tool (general version)
• First Responder Suicide Risk Screening Tool (customizable for local resources)

The Email Template to First Responder Leadership Introducing Suicide Prevention Resources is intended to be sent from a county behavioral health agency to leadership (i.e. chief, sheriff, etc.) within a first responder agency.

• Email Template to Fire/EMS Leadership Introducing Suicide Prevention Resources
• Email Template to Law Enforcement Leadership Introducing Prevention Resources 

The Suicide Prevention Resources for First Responders includes a listing of various resources to support suicide prevention among first responders. Each of the customizable resource listing includes crisis support services, as well as links to resources to assist in developing or expanding suicide prevention and mental health supports within first responder agencies.

• Suicide Prevention Resources for Fire/EMS
• Suicide Prevention Resources for Law Enforcement

The Email Template from First Responder Leadership to Personnel is intended to be customized and sent out by leadership or administration within a first responder agency to their personnel.

• Email Template from Fire/EMS Leadership to Personnel 
• Email Template from Law Enforcement Leadership to Personnel 

The Suicide Prevention Week Newsletter Templates are intended to be utilized as a drop-in article in a first responder agency newsletter to reach personnel from a peer perspective to raise awareness about suicide prevention.

• Suicide Prevention Week Fire/EMS Newsletter Template
• Suicide Prevention Week Law Enforcement Newsletter Template