On National Law Enforcement Suicide Prevention Awareness Day, an Arkansas veteran and former police officer discuss their struggles with mental health

Little Rock, Arkansas – In observance of National Law Enforcement Suicide Prevention Awareness Day, a former police officer talked about his battle with mental illness and suicide.

Approximately 190 law enforcement officials have died by suicide since 2023, according to First Help, an organization that keeps track of suicides among first responders.

In addition, suicide is a greater cause of death for law enforcement and firemen than accidents while on the job.

According to Stephen Wright of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s Arkansas chapter, suicide ranks as the second most common cause of death for individuals between the ages of 25 and 35 in Arkansas.

Wright, a former law enforcement officer, is enthusiastic about what he does because, like him, he once wanted to end his life.

Wright joined the police after serving in the army, and he claimed that during his 15 years on the force, he “never dealt with any of the issues [he] experienced in combat.”

Wright added, “Combine that with all the problems I had as a law enforcement officer, and I found myself going down a very dark path mentally later in life.”

He continues, “Law enforcement officers see the worst of the worst in humanity,” painting a picture of what they deal with on a daily basis.

Despite having “active ideations of suicide” and a “plan” to take his own life, Wright was thankfully able to discover hope through talking to someone.

That’s when the importance of community truly struck him, he said.

“I’ve really been on this journey not just for myself but for others” to be that listening ear for other men and women in blue who may be struggling since joining the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s Arkansas chapter.

He declared, “I’m sick of watching my friends die.”

In order to help people find the services they require, AFSP acts as a resource directory.
Wright added, “We also offer a lot of educational programs.”

Heroes Behind the Line is an organization that offers “immediate crisis response for officers in distress” and has therapists on staff. The Arkansas branch of AFSP has worked with them.

Additionally, Survivors of Blue Suicide, an organization that “assists law enforcement officers and agencies after suicide,” and the Arkansas chapter of AFSP have partnered.

According to Wright, “losing a friend can sometimes be very difficult to deal with and cause problems in your own head.”

Lieutenant Terry Wingard of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office took his own life at the beginning of August. According to Wright, asking for assistance from law enforcement is stigmatized.

He remarked, “A lot of cops are afraid of losing their badge and gun, so they don’t talk about it.”
Help is available to you regardless of whether you are a regular citizen or someone who serves and protects.

It’s acceptable not to feel okay. You are not alone, thus it is not acceptable to ignore those, according to Wright.

Visit ASPF.org/Chapter/Arkansas to find out more about the AFSP chapter in Arkansas. The helpline for the National Suicide Prevention is 988. You can text or chat online if you’d rather not talk.