Law enforcement focus on suicide, PTSD prevention with 'Behind the Badge' seminar
Law enforcement from across the state joined together on Wednesday to learn more about some of the unseen hazards of the job.
As part of Police Week events in Warner Robins, the Southern State Benevolent Foundation hosted "Behind the Badge" Wednesday, a post traumatic stress disorder and suicide prevention seminar.
The all-day seminar aims at letting officers know the resources that are available for them to get help. It also hopes to inform about the signs that an officer or coworker is going through a tough time.
Tim Reichert with the Southern States Benevolent Association said that more officers die each year by suicide than are killed in the line of duty.
"We need to know where our breaking point is and what we can do about it," said Donna Schulz, a former law enforcement officer whose husband, who was in the FBI, committed suicide.
About 100 people were present at the event from all over Georgia, including state and local officials.
Schulz said this type of training is jut as important as any other training in law enforcement and that it is important not to bottle up stress. She said events like this help to reduce the stigma surrounding officers seeking help.
For more on PBA and the resources they provide for suicide prevention, click here.
