(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot on Monday urged people with severe depression to seek help as word spread that a Chicago police officer had died by suicide.
Lightfoot declined to discuss the specifics about reports that an officer took his own life at a North Side police station.
But in the midst of a pandemic that has left some people with feelings of distress and isolation, she wanted the public to know that help is available.
“I don’t know about this individual’s particular circumstances,” she said. “But what I know from looking at the data very, very carefully that suicides are up, and suicides are up in Chicago.
“Unfortunately, we need to make sure we de-stigmatize depression and trauma, that we emphasize for folks the array of resources that are available across the city.”
A spokesperson for the Chicago Police Department tweeted Monday about the passing of a 21-year department veteran and asked people: “Please keep his loved ones in your thoughts and prayers as we process this tragic loss.”
If you or you know someone battling depression help is available by calling the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255.
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