Psychiatrists says high rate of police suicides signals deep mental health crisis among first responders [SOUND]

# The South African Society of Psychiatrists says South Africa is facing a mental health crisis among first responders, with one police officer dying by suicide every week. In the past year, 54 officers took their own lives, and more than 300 suicides were reported in seven years. The organisation’s Lerato Masenya urges the government and emergency services to provide confidential counselling, regular mental health checks, and better rest schedules to protect those on the front lines: