Feb 16 β€’ 06:57 UTC πŸ‡©πŸ‡° Denmark Politiken

The two officers respond to suicides every week: "Sometimes I think: Shit, not another one right now"

Two police officers from Denmark share their experiences dealing with suicide calls, revealing their feelings of inadequacy and the emotional toll of their encounters.

Two police officers, Carola and Christel, are at the forefront of addressing suicide threats and incidents in Denmark, highlighting the growing frequency of such calls in their line of duty. They report that their encounters with individuals at risk of suicide take up a significant portion of their work, with each incident leaving its emotional mark. Carola shares that the sights and smells associated with deathβ€”like a farewell letter or framed pictures of loved onesβ€”are haunting and difficult to process, reinforcing the human aspect of tragedy that they confront regularly.

Despite their training and experience, both officers express a profound sense of inadequacy when it comes to adequately helping those in crisis. They discuss the overwhelming nature of their responsibilities, feeling that they are not well-equipped to manage the complex emotional needs of individuals contemplating suicide. This highlights a critical issue within law enforcement where officers are often placed in roles that require psychological support and assistance, which may not be addressed in their standard training.

The rise in suicide incidents not only reflects a growing mental health crisis but also calls into question the resources available to police services in Denmark. As they navigate these harrowing situations week after week, Carola emphasizes the emotional burden that accompanies their duties, indicating a need for improved mental health support for both the general public and law enforcement officers themselves.

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