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Border Patrol Sees Rise In Suicides
Associated Press
August 16, 2010
FORT HANCOCK, TX – U.S. Border Patrol agents are killing themselves in greater numbers, after nearly four years without one suicide.
Records obtained by The Associated Press show that at least 15 agents have taken their own lives since February 2008. It’s the largest spike in suicides the agency has seen in at least 20 years.
It’s unclear exactly why the men ended their lives. Few left notes.
Federal officials insist the deaths have nothing to do with the agency or the increasingly volatile U.S.-Mexico border.
But administrators have quietly undertaken urgent suicide-prevention initiatives. Those include special training for supervisors, videos about warning signs and educational programs for 22,000 agents nationwide.
Copyright Associated Press, Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Anonymous
over 3 years ago
We are seeing record number of Soldiers in the U.S. Army committing suicide, now we are seeing it in the U.S. Border Patrol too. Law enforcement is downright bad about providing psychological help for officers in crisis. LE is not like the military where you live with those you work with, the buddy system is not as in place as it is in the military so you can truly suffer in silence.
I am sure it is stress based, issues pile up...personal demons, relationship issues, stress from being overworked, stress from highers, stress of the nature of the job, etc etc.
wiseass0282
over 3 years ago
10986 Comments
Sorry to hear this. Hopefully they will come up with something that works to prevent this.
USLawman1983
over 3 years ago
1572 Comments
I've lost a few close friends/partners over the years to this. In almost all the cases, there were signs that should've been seen. Don't ignore the signs, people. Let's watch out for each other. ~ In Brotherhood ~
cops1521
over 3 years ago
980 Comments
For Law Enforcement, suicide is three times higher than that for Line of Duty Deaths every year. That means approximately 450 LEOs are committing suicide every year. Those of us who work in the Law Enforcement field whether we are sworn or non sworn MUST look out for each other. I've said this before and I'll say it again, if you think a co worker or a LEO you know is contemplating suicide, confront them, if they refuse get them help. Tell their bosses, you aren't helping them if you don't say anything. You may lose a friend , but at least they won't have lost their life. If you are thinking of ending your life GET HELP. There is nothing weak about doing so and trust me it is NOT a sign of weakness, but a sign of strength to seek help. Your family and friends need you. Trust me, I know, I lost a LEO friend to suicide. The pain never goes away.