NYPD urges officers to ‘seek help’ after three officers kill themselves in nine days

The New York City police commissioner has urged officers to seek help if needed and support each other after a series of suicides within the department.

James O'Neill, the NYPD commissioner, said a third officer killed himself on Friday, the third suicide in nine days among the city’s officers.

The 29-year-old officer died by suicide outside a police department precinct on Staten Island, just days after a Brooklyn detective was found dead in Plumb Beach.

Steven Silks, a 62-year-old deputy chief who was days from retiring, also reportedly died by suicide on 5 June in Queens.

"Cops spend so much of their days assisting others. But before we can help the people we serve, it is imperative that we first help ourselves,” the commissioner said in a statement.

He added it was “imperative” for officers to support each other and use the department resources available to them while coping with the challenges of their jobs.

"Accepting help is never a sign of weakness – in fact, it's a sign of great strength," Mr O'Neill said. "Please connect yourself or your friends and colleagues to the assistance that is so close by."

The deaths appeared to add to a conversation within the department about mental health, with NYPD Chief Terence Monahan saying it “couldn’t be more important” to discuss the issue in a tweet last week.

“I want every member of the NYPD to know: you have options, the department is here for you, seeking help will not adversely affect your career,” the tweet continued.

The New York City Mayor’s Office is reportedly working to provide resources to officers, according to a statement from Mayor Bill De Blasio.

If you or someone you know is at risk of suicide and you are based in the US, you can call the US National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255, text TALK to 741741 or go to SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for additional resources.