SAULT STE. MARIE, MI-- The Chippewa County Sheriff’s Office has set up a law enforcement mental health donation fund.
Sheriff Mike Bitnar says the stress of being a police officer, corrections officer, firefighter, emergency medical technician or Central Dispatch operator tends to compound over time.
“If you came across a bad accident or somebody committed suicide that would be a very bad day for you. But imagine about 30 years of that, where you’ve seen it about three, four hundred times.”
Bitnar says the fund will be used to bring in programs like Blue H.E.L.P., which aims to help reduce mental health stigma through education and to bring awareness to suicide. The sheriff says most of the time first responders just need someone to talk to and it helps to speak with someone who understands the job.
The fund would also assist officers who need help with mental health expenses not covered by insurance.
Bitnar says previously officers were told to tough it out and not talk about what’s bothering them. He says he’d rather be proactive with his team than respond to a crisis after it happens.
For more information about the donation fund contact the Chippewa County Sheriff's Office.
