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(sharing with permission)
Tonight, a senior (police) leader thanked me for saving his life. Though I didn't know it, when we spoke a few weeks ago, he was in his car ready to kill himself. He'd written his notes, said "bye" to his kids & uniform packed away.
I called just to check in, as I often do with my officers & though I knew he was struggling, we also laughed through his tears &he said nothing that truly alarmed me. Job don't know but he's in counselling & spoken to a couple of his mates who've thankfully been supportive.
We've spoken since that night & still didn't know until he told me. He thanked me because our chat helped him understand why he was struggling & that there was no shame in needing support. He's got a difficult road ahead & is still struggling but is determined to face it.
It wasn't the trauma of the Job that almost cost his life but severe life stressors & attitudes of mental health/illness from his team/management. "I don't remember the last time anyone asked how I was when it wasn't dictated by a fucking questionnaire!" This isn't good enough!
I share this for 4 reasons:
1. sometimes there are no signs for suicide
2. men continue to suffer in silence
3. call your mates
4. everyone's so busy pushing formal support to cover their legal liability, they ignore the power of informal conversations in changing &saving lives.
1. sometimes there are no signs for suicide
2. men continue to suffer in silence
3. call your mates
4. everyone's so busy pushing formal support to cover their legal liability, they ignore the power of informal conversations in changing &saving lives.
I am in awe of & humbled by his honesty & strength to continue living, to seek help & to take the time to thank me when all I did was make a call he didn't have to answer.
My men mean the world to me
"You can't help everyone but everyone can help someone"
My men mean the world to me
"You can't help everyone but everyone can help someone"
