Chief Michael Jenkins is pleased to share that the East Bridgewater Police Department has partnered with LOSS Team Plymouth County to support those impacted by a death by suicide.
LOSS Team Plymouth County launched in January 2023. It is a group of trained volunteers with lived experience who work with police departments across Plymouth County to bring hope and support to survivors in the immediate wake of the loss of a loved one.
Through the new partnership, when a death is initially determined to be suicide, East Bridgewater Police will contact the LOSS Team and volunteers will respond to the scene and speak with the survivor(s). The outreach team involves two or more volunteers, including a suicide loss survivor, who connect the survivors to services and resources for use whenever they feel ready.
The outreach team provides a packet with information such as how to talk to kids about a suicide loss and how grief is experienced differently among people. The team also leaves resources such as contact information for the state’s Behavioral Health Help Line and Alliance of Hope, and a list of suggested podcasts and books.
The East Bridgewater Police Department is the third department in Plymouth County to partner with the LOSS Team.
“We are pleased to be partnering with LOSS Team Plymouth County to support our community members who are impacted by suicide deaths,” Chief Jenkins said. “We are grateful to Charlette and her team for all they do to provide hope to survivors and an understanding of what they’re experiencing.”
The original L.O.S.S. team (Local Outreach to Suicide Survivors) was launched in 1998 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Dr. Frank Campbell developed the L.O.S.S. team model after his research revealed that it took an average of 4.5 years for survivors of suicide loss to reach out for help. After LOSS Teams were implemented, that timeframe decreased to just 45 days, according to LOSS Team Plymouth County.
Learn more about the LOSS Team Plymouth County at lossteamplymouthcounty.org.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 9-8-8 or chat 988lifeline.org to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
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