Date on Honors Thesis

Spring 4-27-2026

Major

Economics

Minor

Criminal Justice

Examining Committee Member

Beau Sauley, PhD, Advisor

Examining Committee Member

Simone Silva, PhD, Committee Member

Examining Committee Member

Daniel Hepworth, PhD, Committee Member

Examining Committee Member

Jessica Naber, PhD, Committee Member

Abstract/Description

Individuals working in law enforcement face daily stressors that far exceed those experienced by the general population. This elevated exposure to stress has been associated with increased rates of mental health disorders and suicide among law enforcement officers. In response, peer support programs have gained recent attention, with new state and federal legislation promoting peer support as a strategy to address the mental health crisis within law enforcement. This paper examines the impact of statewide peer support programs on law enforcement suicide rates through statistical analysis. A difference-in-differences analysis is used to compare state-level law enforcement suicide rates before and after the implementation of peer support programs. The findings are mixed, likely due in part to the composition of available law enforcement suicide data. Nevertheless, this study provides a foundational framework for future research and offers direction for continued evaluation of peer support initiatives as a strategy for suicide prevention within law enforcement.

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