Wellness - My Brother and Sister’s Keeper

My Brother and Sister’s Keeper
By Julia Torres

In light of the amount of police suicides recently occurring, we at Blue would like to extend our open, unending invitation to unload your weight. We are “my brother’s keeper” and have chosen to take this issue very seriously. We do not want this to be a growing trend. You are valued; we care and love you.

If you feel desolate, tormented, know that you are not alone. Someone, somewhere, has been in that moment and they found a positive solution. You can, too. The way out is not taking your life. You are too valuable, loved and cherished to cease to exist of your own volition.

Your future is bright. God, our Father planned prosperity and hope for His children (Jeremiah 29:11). Therefore, there is no temptation that cannot be conquered (1 Cor 10:13). He has equipped you with the tools required to combat all challenges. You are a victor, victorious in the abundant life Jesus came for you to have. How can I be so certain? Simply and unequivocally, God has said it in His Word (John 10:10).

Decide to believe in the future you were meant to live. Ask Him to lead you to it, to guide you through it. He will bring a confidante and you will find relief. But reach out. The longer you remain silent, the more emotions fester, feeding further into negative emotions until you believe there is no hope. It’s all untrue. You were designed for more.

A warm hand is available. The pastoral staff of Abundant Grace Christian Church, at 70 Home Avenue in Rutherford has expressed their desire to provide free counseling in a loving environment. Steve Hannett, founder of Abundant Grace, and EveryHouse, a nonprofit 501(c)3, is passionate about changing lives. It is with this intention that he has volunteered the staff’s services to the Blue community and their family. As host of the The Miraculous Life TV show, Pastor Steve reaches over a hundred nations delivering hope, an invaluable endeavor he offers to those in Blue. Having been healed of cancer, Pastor Steve understands firsthand the turmoil and anguish one can experience in a grave situation.

Take a moment to read the fervent zeal in his voice as he shares God’s truth and love with the desire to protect and love those who serve others.

A Look at the Upward Trend of Police Suicide & How to Combat It

Shots fired! Shots fired! The blood rushes through your body as you race to the scene to provide backup. Your body floods with emotion as you approach the chaotic conflict, wondering what you’ll encounter. To your horror, you see officers down and blood pooling. The assailants have fled, but you're shouting for help as you radio for medical assistance to save your brothers and sisters in blue.

Incidents like these last for moments, but the traumatic memories last a lifetime. Adding fuel to the fire are the memories of daily calls dealing with tragic accidents, domestic violence and drug-related incidents. These memories give rise to new fears, stresses and burdens that are increasingly overwhelming to the mental and emotional wellbeing of many police officers.

Data via the Ruderman Family Foundation/the International Journal of Emergency Mental Health reports that the occurrence of depression among police officers is two times as likely and the occurrence of PTSD approximately six times more likely than the general public!

The problem is real, and it's causing an increasing number to end their trauma by tragically ending their lives. According to Blue H.E.L.P., a nonprofit run by active and retired police officers, at least 159 officers died by suicide in 2018, nine percent more than the total number of line-of-duty deaths resulting from 15 other causes such as felonious assault, patrol vehicle accident, heart attack and duty-related illness. For the third straight year, police officer suicides exceed all combined causes of line-of-duty deaths.

The problem is that less than 10 percent of U.S. police departments have suicide prevention programs. The simple fact is that the problem is not being addressed at all or it's addressed too late after a police officer is already suffering.

Police officers are modern street warriors who need proactive training that strengthens more than just physical skill. They need to return to the training methods of ancient warriors who trained not only their bodies but also their minds and spirits.

For thousands of years, the warrior understood that their spirit was an essential part of their being. They knew if their spirit was strong, their minds and bodies would follow. Modern warriors have suffered from a modern culture that frequently shuns spiritual training, and it’s time for a change.

One of the greatest ancient historical warriors is King David. He was a man so close to God he lived, loved, and fought from a place of spiritual strength. He wrote his own words saying,

“The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked came against me to eat up my flesh, my enemies and foes, they stumbled and fell. Though an army may encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war may rise against me, in this I will be confident” (Psalm 27:1–3).

David fought many battles, and though the Bible records he went through deep emotional turmoil, he always came out on top because of the hope and strength he found in God. This strength David accessed then is the same strength all can access now!

Satan is real, and police officers daily witness the evil he releases on the frontline streets. We desperately need Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who is the ultimate warrior who “overcame” and “overcomes” darkness with infallible proof. We need the power, teaching, love, forgiveness and grace of God to flood our hearts so our minds may be filled with peace and be able to stand strong in battle.

Imagine for a moment what life would be like for you and your family if you trained like King David and had what he had. Imagine if you had his spiritual weapons! You would without question take down your Goliaths!

There’s hope for you no matter how much pain you feel. We invite all who would like more information to contact EveryHouse, a nonprofit organization, at 201-355-3225 or contact www.everyhouse.org. We stand ready to stand with you to combat the growing trend of police suicide. Failure is not an option.

Resources:

https://www.menshealth.com/health/a20944664/police-officer-suicide-rate-mental-health/

https://bluehelp.org/158-american-police-officers-died-by-suicide-in-2018/?fbclid=IwAR0eCgLUQ0zrmtf75B_mWHQqMH6eccmIuYT-J3eoJomcIckdPFI7pCwgAcM

https://www.policeone.com/lodd/articles/482561006-Report-More-cops-died-by-suicide-than-in-line-of-duty-in-2018/)

For thousands of years, the warrior understood that their spirit was an essential part of their being. They knew if their spirit was strong, their minds and bodies would follow. Modern warriors have suffered from a modern culture that frequently shuns spiritual training, and it’s time for a change.

One of the greatest ancient historical warriors is King David. He was a man so close to God he lived, loved, and fought from a place of spiritual strength. He wrote his own words saying,

“The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked came against me to eat up my flesh, my enemies and foes, they stumbled and fell. Though an army may encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war may rise against me, in this I will be confident” (Psalm 27:1–3).

David fought many battles, and though the Bible records he went through deep emotional turmoil, he always came out on top because of the hope and strength he found in God. This strength David accessed then is the same strength all can access now!

Satan is real, and police officers daily witness the evil he releases on the frontline streets. We desperately need Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who is the ultimate warrior who “overcame” and “overcomes” darkness with infallible proof. We need the power, teaching, love, forgiveness and grace of God to flood our hearts so our minds may be filled with peace and be able to stand strong in battle.

Imagine for a moment what life would be like for you and your family if you trained like King David and had what he had. Imagine if you had his spiritual weapons! You would without question take down your Goliaths!

There’s hope for you no matter how much pain you feel. We invite all who would like more information to contact EveryHouse, a nonprofit organization, at 201-355-3225 or contact www.everyhouse.org. We stand ready to stand with you to combat the growing trend of police suicide. Failure is not an option.

Resources:

https://www.menshealth.com/health/a20944664/police-officer-suicide-rate-mental-health/

https://bluehelp.org/158-american-police-officers-died-by-suicide-in-2018/?fbclid=IwAR0eCgLUQ0zrmtf75B_mWHQqMH6eccmIuYT-J3eoJomcIckdPFI7pCwgAcM

https://www.policeone.com/lodd/articles/482561006-Report-More-cops-died-by-suicide-than-in-line-of-duty-in-2018/)

For thousands of years, the warrior understood that their spirit was an essential part of their being. They knew if their spirit was strong, their minds and bodies would follow. Modern warriors have suffered from a modern culture that frequently shuns spiritual training, and it’s time for a change.

One of the greatest ancient historical warriors is King David. He was a man so close to God he lived, loved, and fought from a place of spiritual strength. He wrote his own words saying,

“The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked came against me to eat up my flesh, my enemies and foes, they stumbled and fell. Though an army may encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war may rise against me, in this I will be confident” (Psalm 27:1–3).

David fought many battles, and though the Bible records he went through deep emotional turmoil, he always came out on top because of the hope and strength he found in God. This strength David accessed then is the same strength all can access now!

Satan is real, and police officers daily witness the evil he releases on the frontline streets. We desperately need Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who is the ultimate warrior who “overcame” and “overcomes” darkness with infallible proof. We need the power, teaching, love, forgiveness and grace of God to flood our hearts so our minds may be filled with peace and be able to stand strong in battle.

Imagine for a moment what life would be like for you and your family if you trained like King David and had what he had. Imagine if you had his spiritual weapons! You would without question take down your Goliaths!

There’s hope for you no matter how much pain you feel. We invite all who would like more information to contact EveryHouse, a nonprofit organization, at 201-355-3225 or contact www.everyhouse.org. We stand ready to stand with you to combat the growing trend of police suicide. Failure is not an option.

Resources:

https://www.menshealth.com/health/a20944664/police-officer-suicide-rate-mental-health/

https://bluehelp.org/158-american-police-officers-died-by-suicide-in-2018/?fbclid=IwAR0eCgLUQ0zrmtf75B_mWHQqMH6eccmIuYT-J3eoJomcIckdPFI7pCwgAcM

https://www.policeone.com/lodd/articles/482561006-Report-More-cops-died-by-suicide-than-in-line-of-duty-in-2018/)