The sad blue line.
Six police officers in the state of New York already committed suicide this year, and half of them left Long Island.
The tragedies on the island occurred in Nassau County in the first quarter of 2025, according to Nassau PBA president Tommy Shevlin.
“The numbers are alarms, so our mental health should be a priority,” said Shevlin.
Deaths represent 50% of all police officers who, according to reports, committed suicide in the state this year, according to blue aid, a non -profit organization that tracks police suicides throughout the United States.
“We are in the midst of a quiet crisis,” said Suffolk PBA president Lou Civello, to the post. In Suffolk County, four officers take their lives last year, none has been reported in 2025 so far.
Since 2019, Shevlin has been fighting to approve Lieutenant Joseph Banish Legion of the Mental Health State Law that bears the name of a Warren County police who committed suicide, who would establish a parent mental health support program for police officers.
New York also continues to lead the United States in the Suicides of First Response, according to Blue H.el.P. Thirteen police in Empire State Tok tok their own lives last year, according to the reports.
The legislation, if approved, would create a confidential network of officers trained to help their colleagues to deal with the intense trauma, stress and complaint caused by the line of work of the life or death line.
“This legislation is not only necessary, it is very exaggerated,” Civelo told the post.
Shevlin said not “would not immediately stop all suicides, but it would be a great first step.”
“This is a big problem,” he added.
Tons of officers fight silent, Shevlin explained, fearing stigma or even the consequences of the career for talking about their mental health, something that expects state legislation to begin disassembling.
The bill, backed by several state legislators of Long Island, has left the Senate, but remains blocked in the assembly.
“We are trying to overcome it just after the budget is made,” Shevlin told the post.
And the impulse can finally be moving in your direction.
Shevlin, who has had meetings with Governor Kathy Hochul about the bill, said it seems to be on board.
Hochul’s office declined to comment.
Last year, the governor allocated $ 13 million to provide mental help to the police throughout the state, and promoted Shevlin’s work one of the driving forces.
“The suicide rate between the application of the law is 60% higher than the average population,” Hochul wrote in X at that time. “My budget invests $ 13 million to provide mental support to our officers and shake hands with them.
“No one should have to suffer in silence.”