Why I Walk
Doug Kingsley
Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the US today. Police officers and military service members are at a higher risk of suicide than any other profession. Through my career in the Army National Guard and with the Sherborn Police Department, suicide has affected me on too many occasions. In the summer of 2019 I lost one of my soldiers to suicide. In the summer of 2021, I lost a friend from my academy class. Since these events, I have seen the necessity to raise awareness for Police and Military suicide prevention. It is for this reason that I am walking. I am walking to honor the memories of those who have passed. I am walking to raise awareness for the resources that are available. I am walking to prove that we are not alone in this profession, even though, at times, it might seem like it. There are people who love you, there are people who care, and even a complete stranger could change your life for the better.
About the Charity
Blue H.E.L.P
Blue H.E.L.P. began in 2015 after its founders recognized the need for suicide prevention resources and care for the families who have suffered a loss. They realized that, within the law enforcement community, when faced with suicide, compassion and understanding took a backseat to stigma and shame. Today, they not only collect data, but offer a wide variety of resources for first responders and their families. More information can be viewed on their website. BlueH.E.L.P.org