National Suicide Prevention Month Resolution

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General Ashley Moody today presented a resolution at a Florida Cabinet Meeting to recognize September as National Suicide Prevention Month in Florida. According to BlueHelp.org, 167 active and retired law enforcement officers nationwide committed suicide in 2018, more than those killed in the line of duty. Providing help and assistance to Florida law enforcement is one of Attorney General Moody’s top priorities.

Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “My mission as Attorney General is to protect Floridians and we are constantly working to ensure their well-being and safety. This includes our first responders and law enforcement officers, who experience traumatic events and carry heavy burdens in the face of danger. I want them to know that we are here for them and will do everything possible to keep them from suffering.”

National Suicide Prevention Month is designated as a time for advocates, organizations, communities and survivors to unite and promote suicide prevention awareness. Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States, claiming more than 3,000 lives a year in Florida. The governor and Florida Cabinet unanimously passed the resolution earlier today.

To view a copy of the resolution unveiled at today’s Florida Cabinet Meeting, click here.

This summer, Attorney General Moody hosted Mental Health and Criminal Justice Round Tables across the state, focusing on mental health issues in different aspects of the criminal justice system.

Most recently, Attorney General Moody and Chief Justice Charles Canady co-hosted the Mental Health and Criminal Justice Round Table at the Florida Supreme Court in August, where the topic of discussion centered on mental health challenges in the Florida courts system.

In July, Attorney General Moody traveled to Bay County for the Mental Health and Criminal Justice Round Table, where the discussion focused on addressing mental health issues among those individuals awaiting trial, serving time and released after completing jail sentences. Law enforcement from around the state joined Attorney General Moody in the discussion, that centered on preventing crime and reducing recidivism.

Attorney General Moody traveled to West Palm Beach in June for the Mental Health and Criminal Justice Round Table that focused on reducing recidivism and streamlining costs by coming up with innovative ways to handle persons experiencing a mental health episode prior to arrest.

Finally, Attorney General Moody hosted the first Mental Health and Criminal Justice Round Table in Tampa this past May, to focus on improving mental health within Florida’s law enforcement ranks.

If you are suffering and need help, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741.

To find local support services, click here.