Blog Posts
We welcome your stories, perspective and important information regarding suicide in law enforcement.
Thoughts on Beginning School
This is the smile I miss on my little boy.
Thoughts on Beginning School
“Mom, I don’t want to have to wait to see Daddy again... Mom, I don’t want to wait till I’m 90 to see Daddy again! I want to see him.....” These words sting. These words hurt. These words cut deep! With tears in his eyes, these were the words my little one said to me...
I want to tell you…
My late husband was a police officer and he died by suicide. I want to tell you how his department did nothing but stand and watch me on my hands and knees screaming for them to help me, after I had found him. I want to tell you how a noticeable amount of his...
Listen
We have seen significant progress toward smashing the stigma of law enforcement mental health, but we have a long way to go. Blue H.E.L.P.’s #IWillListen campaign works to improve how law enforcement officers demonstrate their willingness and commitment to...
No One Is Coming, It Is Up To Us
We have a design for a 22-acre park and memorial. We’re ready. I sit here reading a social media post knowing this park and memorial has been the most significant public effort toward honoring the service of and sacrifices of...
“Widow”
Until April 2009, I considered myself lucky to have not lost anyone close to me. Sadly, the loss of my Dad to leukemia was the start of an exceedingly difficult period of loss. He died only four weeks before my wedding. I then suffered the losses of my Grandpa,...
Not All Flags Are Equal
This week is National Police Week and May 15th is National Peace Officers Memorial Day. Families across this country have received a folded flag that once rested on a law enforcement officer’s casket. I imagine they each go through a variety of...
How did I get here?
Some have said, “it wasn’t your fault, it was the choice that he made.” But are they really sure? I may not have pulled the trigger, but I know somewhere I had to be the one that pushed him. I was the one that forced him to see the doctor. I made him seek help. Maybe...
Suicide’s Unanswered Questions
Everyone has a different experience. Mine is not exactly the same as anyone else’s, nor is it exactly different. I’m not a first responder so I didn’t face the same challenges, but I believe we can all learn something from each other. I don’t walk around and tell my...
Blue H.E.L.P. Joins F.B.I. in Implementation of the Law Enforcement Suicide Data Collection Act
Since 2016, Blue H.E.L.P. (Honor. Educate. Lead. Prevent.) has been supporting the families of law enforcement officers lost to suicide. It is the objective of Blue H.E.L.P. to reduce mental health stigma and bring awareness to suicide and mental...
“Cumulative Trauma” My Story
When began my law enforcement career in 1994, I had no idea the toll daily exposure to traumatic events would cause. At that time, mental health was never talked about nor was it mentioned in the police academy; the attitude was to “suck it up”. The first...
2020 – Year In Review
Here at Blue H.E.L.P., we aim to honor officers lost to suicide and support the families left behind, educate the public to bring awareness to mental health issues and reduce the stigma, lead in advocating for benefits for those suffering from post-traumatic stress,...
What is a Law Enforcement Career?
What is a Law Enforcement career? Service to the community, the dedication to the brothers and sisters in blue, or is it the fulfillment of something more personal. I have spent a lifetime, a career of walking that thin blue line; life and death, justice, and...
Heart, Lung, and Brain Bill?
One of the biggest debates many agencies and organizations that support those left behind by an officer’s suicide is should this be a line of duty death. Blue H.E.L.P. doesn’t debate this, we have already made up our mind. When an officer is hired, they go...