Sheriff’s deputies receive training in suicide prevention

Sheriff wants officers to be able to handle a mental health crisis

To help combat the risks of suicide in White County, the sheriff’s office is beginning a new training program for officers. Deputies out in the field, interacting with residents on a daily basis, will be getting training in suicide prevention.

“It sets up these guys to know what to look for,” Sheriff Page said. “If they get a call and it turns out to be someone wanting to hurt themselves, they will know how to dissuade and assist that person - save their life.”

While officers that operate in the jail have been getting this training for years now, as incarceration has the potential to wear on the mentality of inmates, the sheriff wanted to have that training spread to all deputies. That way, a deputy will never be caught unaware on how to handle a mental health crisis, especially when there is a risk of self-harm.

“You see people at their lowest,” Sheriff Page said. “That’s when they are vulnerable. You have to help them. If we can save even just one person, then we know this is working. Sometimes what these people really need is support, and if they don’t have the family for that, they need a support team.”

Other officers and members of the sheriff’s office agree this training will be another valuable tool for their these law enforcement officials. Sheriff Page has confidence the strong team he has with him will adapt well to the training, and do their best to keep people safe, even when it’s from themselves.