Koutoujian Hopes Conference Can Shine Light On Corrections Officer Mental Health Issues
The conference, held in Lowell on Monday, was the first step in an effort by local and national law enforcement officials to combat premature deaths from mental health issues by corrections officers throughout the country.
Hundreds of law enforcement officials came to Lowell on Monday as part of a first effort to help address mental and occupational health issues faced by corrections officers across the country. Spearheaded by Middlesex County Sheriff Peter Koutoujian and the National Sheriffs’ Association, hopes were high that the information exchanged during the gathering can help build greater awareness on a profession that sees 39 percent more suicides than any other job in the United States. “For almost two years, today has been a dream of mine,” said Koutoujian, who worked on suicide prevention legislation while chairing Massachusetts House of Representatives’ Committee on Healthcare from 2003 to 2005. “Now we can begin a national discussion that needs…
Carl ToersBijns
8:38 pm on Saturday, December 22, 2012
Glad to see this subject matter get the right amount of attention for correctional officers working inside prisons and large detention centers or jails.. Long overdue... maybe now they will provide enough resources to help and support those that work there. This problem has long been ignored and talking about it, making resources available and not stigmatizing those who use it is the first step … more ›