09/01/2026
SEPTEMBER | SU***DE PREVENTION MONTH
Whether you're active duty, retired, or somewhere in between, you may have spent your career being the person everyone else could count on.
You answered the calls. You walked toward what others ran from. You saw things you were never supposed to see. You kept going when you were exhausted. You learned how to compartmentalize.
You told yourself, “I'm fine.”
But sometimes, the job doesn't stay at the job.
It can follow you home. Into your relationships. Into your sleep.
Into retirement. Into the quiet moments when there are no radios, sirens, calls, or distractions left to keep your mind busy.
And sometimes, the person who needs someone to check on them is the person who has spent their entire career checking on everyone else.
Su***de prevention isn't just about recognizing a crisis. It's about creating a culture where first responders feel safe seeking help before they reach a crisis.
You don't need the right words. You just have to start the conversation.
And if you're worried about someone, ask. Ask how they're really doing. Listen without judgment. Stay connected. Don't assume retirement means the hard stuff is over.
Because retirement doesn't erase trauma. And asking for help isn't a sign that you weren't strong enough to handle the job.
Sometimes, asking for help is how you keep going.
To every active and retired police officer, firefighter, paramedic, dispatcher, corrections officer, and other first responder: You matter beyond the job. Your life matters beyond your service.
Check on your people. Check on yourself.
If you or someone you know is struggling, call the 911 Wellness Group office at 847-550-4520.
We can help you get scheduled for an immediate appointment, either in person or via telehealth.
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger or thinking about su***de, call or text 988 for the Su***de & Crisis Lifeline, or call 911 in an immediate emergency.