Preventing suicide: a resource for police, firefighters and other first line responders

Overview

Suicide is a complex phenomenon and its prevention requires the involvement of a wide range of people and groups. One of them are first interveners, such as police officers, firefighters and other responders who are often a first line resource for people who have significant mental health, emotional, or substance abuse problems and who may be suicidal. First responders are in a unique position to determine the course and outcome of suicidal crises. They occupy an important role in community-based suicide prevention This resource places suicide in the broader context of community mental health and identifies a number of principles and key activities that can be used as part of a broader community-based suicide prevention strategy.