North Dakota Highway Patrol honors National Law Enforcement Suicide Awareness Day

BISMARCK, ND ( KXNET ) — The North Dakota Highway Patrol is looking to draw attention to behavioral health issues affecting some of their fellow officers.

Friday marked National Law Enforcement Suicide Awareness Day, a time to reflect and remember officers who were lost to suicide.

National Security Analysis statistics show that law enforcement officers are 54% more likely to die by suicide than the general population.

Nonprofit CNA says that this figure highlights the importance of having programs in place like North Dakota Highway Patrol’s comprehensive mental health program.

The program started back in 2021 and is designed to end the mental health stigma and encourage officers to seek help — if they need it.

Highway Patrol says, “This initiative underscores the importance of mental wellness in law enforcement, ensuring our officers have the resources they need to thrive both on and off the job.”

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