Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine today announced the release of two public service announcement videos addressed to members of law enforcement and the County’s civilian workforce as part of Mental Health Awareness Month. Content provides viewers with available resources and addresses the stigmas associated with mental and behavioral health.
The videos are released in the aftermath of four Suffolk County law enforcement members taking their lives earlier this year.
“Mental and behavioral health knows no boundaries and affects everybody regardless of age, gender, ethnicity and profession,” said Romaine. “In Suffolk County, we are fully committed to providing our employees with the resources not only to do their jobs effectively, but to live a prosperous life. Through this initiative we want to remove the stigmas and stereotypes associated with mental health.”
The County’s video directed to members of local law enforcement includes representation from the Suffolk County Police Benevolent Association, Suffolk County Superior Officers Association, Suffolk County Detectives Association, Suffolk County Probation Officers Association, Suffolk County Deputy Sheriff’s Police Benevolent Association and Suffolk County Correction Officers Association.
The video message addressed to Suffolk County’s civilian workforce includes representation from the Suffolk County Association of Municipal Employees and members from the Office of the County Executive, Department of Public Works, Parks Department and the Department of Social Services.
The latest initiative is part of the County’s ongoing to foster collaboration among the County’s workforce, which is comprised of approximately 10,000 employees and retirees.