Public Employee Press

Union offers assistance to members at risk of suicide

Last month, two DC 37 members and two law enforcement professionals took their own lives. These tragic deaths focus attention on the risk of suicide among city workers, front-line personnel in high-pressure jobs and thousands more leading high-stress lives.

Members are fortunate to have access to professionally trained social workers at DC 37. The Personal Service Unit of the DC 37 Health & Security Plan helps members deal with suicidal feelings and provides crisis counseling to co-workers if necessary. The Social Work Unit of the union’s Municipal Employees Legal Services program is ready to step in where members’ legal situations lead to personal crises.

The stress of bankruptcy, divorce and other ruptures in the fabric of life can lead to a loss of confidence and point toward suicide as a solution, and MELS attorneys can refer troubled clients to the Social Work Unit.

“We provide a safe environment where members can express the deep and threatening emotions that are pulling at them. We try to provide concrete resources and the help they need to comprehend andresolve their crisis,” said Michael Morgan, assistant director of the MELS unit.
Other factors that place people at greater risk of suicide are depression, alcoholism, mental illness, job jeopardy and unemployment.

PSU Associate Director Linda Lowenstein said it is important to be aware of warning signs, such as changes in personality, loss of interest in work, alcohol or drug abuse, talking about giving away prized possessions, and feelings of guilt, shame, low self-esteem or hopelessness.

Suicidal thoughts
The PSU works with members who may be suicidal. “We evaluate members who tell us they have suicidal thoughts,” said Lowenstein. If needed, we refer them to psychiatrists for evaluations and in extreme cases, we either take them to the emergency room or refer them for inpatient psychiatric treatment. If a member is suicidal at work, a PSU social worker will consult with the shop steward or supervisor and advise them about the proper action to take.

The PSU has also responded to requests from local presidents or union reps to provide grief counseling for members after a suicide at the job site.

To contact PSU, call 212-815-1250.

Other resources available for people struggling with thoughts of suicide or families surviving a suicide are available through the Samaritans’ 24-hour hotline, 212-673-3000.