Suicide Prevention Awareness Month: Supporting the Mental Health of Seattle’s Fire Fighters
Introducing the Local 27 Suicide Prevention Resources Toolkit
Essential information on a topic we all need to know more about
September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month—an annual reminder for us all to learn more about and discuss the behavioral and mental health challenges we face as fire fighters. With this in mind, we are unveiling a dedicated suicide prevention page on our website. The Suicide Prevention Resources Toolkit compiles relevant, essential information on this crucial topic from our HealthCare Trust, and our partners at YouTurn Health. The toolkit includes helpful articles, blog posts, infographics, podcasts, and videos. It’s designed to provide immediate help if needed and make it easy to find relevant learning materials on suicide prevention.
The leadership and staff of Local 27 is committed to promoting hope, fostering connections, bolstering social support, cultivating resilience, and highlighting the availability of treatment and recovery options. We know that all of you share these commitments. Please feel free to pass along anything in the toolkit that might be helpful to your colleagues, family, and friends.
Resource Reminder:
Remember, you can also get help behavioral and mental health help through the following resources:
- The Peer Advocate Group hotline: Call them 206-459-3020.
- The IAFF Center of Excellence: Call them at 844-934-1449.
- Safe Call Now: Call them at 206-459-3020. Safe Call Now is a confidential, comprehensive, 24-hour crisis referral service for all public safety employees, all emergency services personnel, and their family members nationwide.
Our profession demands that we prioritize behavioral and mental health. You can contribute by joining us in creating a culture that acknowledges the emotional toll of firefighting and actively encourages those in need to seek help. Together, let’s create a safer, more supportive environment that actively prioritizes mental well-being.