AG Hosts First Mental Health & Criminal Justice Round Table

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General Ashley Moody today hosted the first of four mental health and criminal justice round table discussions slated for this year. The Attorney General’s Mental Health and Criminal Justice Summer Round Table Series is being held in cities across Florida. The focus of the series is on identifying best practices and innovative strategies to help improve how Florida’s criminal justice system serves individuals suffering from mental health issues.

Today’s discussion focused on improving mental health within Florida’s law enforcement ranks. According to BlueHelp.org, 165 active and retired law enforcement officers nationwide committed suicide in 2018. That same year, 163 officers died in the line of duty.

Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “More active and retired law enforcement officers took their own lives last year than were killed in the line of duty. Suicide is a silent epidemic threatening our law enforcement ranks, and we will not remain silent about this topic. Today, I joined Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister and law enforcement leaders from across the state to discuss ways to prevent suicide and ensure Florida officers can access life-saving services when they need them most.”

Attorney General Moody’s four-part Mental Health Criminal Justice Summer Round Table Series is bringing together law enforcement in an effort to identify best practices and innovative ideas.

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The second round table discussion in the series will focus on addressing mental health issues prior to arrests. The event will be held at the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office on June 26.