Supporting Those Who Serve: The Impact of Peer Support on Law Enforcement Suicide
Academic Level at Time of Presentation
Senior
Major
Economics
Minor
Criminal Justice
List all Project Mentors & Advisor(s)
Beau Sauley, Ph.D.; Simone Silva, Ph.D.
Presentation Format
Oral Presentation
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. Both regression and difference-in-differences analyses are 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.
Spring Scholars Week 2026
Honors College Senior Thesis Presentations
Supporting Those Who Serve: The Impact of Peer Support on Law Enforcement Suicide
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. Both regression and difference-in-differences analyses are 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.