ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. — This weekend’s suspected murder-suicide in St. John’s County involving two Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Deputies is putting a spotlight on law enforcement mental health.
One of the most prominent organizations working on the issue is Blue H.E.L.P.
Not only does it help connect officers with mental health services, but it also tracks officer suicides and already Florida is on a path to set a tragic record this year.
Police were still on scene at the vacation rental home in St. Augustine Monday, where two Hillsborough County Deputies died in an apparent murder-suicide Saturday night.
The incident left neighbors shocked.
“We got a call that said we need to lock our doors and stay away from windows and doors and keep inside,” said neighbor Kieran Wallace.
ORIGINAL STORY >>> Police investigate the deaths of 2 Hillsborough deputies in potential murder-suicide
Steven Hough with Blue H.E.L.P. told us murder-suicides are not common among law enforcement officers.
“Very tragic all the way around. It is not something that is prevalent,” said Hough.
But suicide is, unfortunately, a very real problem in the law enforcement community.
Blue H.E.L.P. shows between eight and 13 law enforcement officers have died by suicide in Florida each year dating back to 2017.
In the first month of 2022 however, we’ve already seen at least three.
“About a month ago now we lost two St. Lucie officers, the St. Lucie County guys, to suicide and now within a month we’re seeing basically the second version of this coming out,” said Hough.
Hough said in the past there has been a stigma around mental health in the law enforcement community.
“We’re all that Type-A personality. We’re all used to being in control of something and when we’re not, we find ourselves in uncharted waters,” said Hough.
But he said there are signs the times are changing.
It’s Blue H.E.L.P.’s hope that by connecting officers with the help they need, tragic situations like this one could be prevented.
“The change is coming. It’s, as you know, slow just like every other bit of change that comes. But it’s getting there and I think the message is moving in the right direction,” said Hough.
And Hough said if officers are looking for mental health services they should first look for counselors within their agency, but they can also visit bluehelp.org for links to services and providers throughout the country.
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