Dear AME Brothers and Sisters,

Recent tragedies involving the loss of lives to suicide have deeply affected our community. These heartbreaking events remind us of something we must never lose sight of: behind every job title, every uniform, every desk, and every responsibility is a human being who may be carrying burdens that others cannot see.

As public employees, we dedicate our careers to serving others. Many of our members work on the front lines of human suffering, witnessing trauma, navigating crises, managing overwhelming workloads, and facing extraordinary pressures. We are often expected to be strong, resilient, and composed, even when the emotional toll of our work becomes difficult to bear.

But who takes care of those who spend their lives taking care of others?

As a union, we must ask ourselves that question, and more importantly, we must be part of the answer.

Our commitment to our members cannot end with negotiating contracts, protecting benefits, or defending workplace rights. It must also include protecting the dignity, mental health, and emotional well-being of every person we represent.

The reality is that many people struggle in silence. Depression, anxiety, burnout, grief, and personal hardships do not always have visible signs. Someone who appears to have everything together may be fighting a battle we know nothing about.

We must work together to create a culture where asking for help is met with compassion rather than judgment, where mental health is treated with the same seriousness as physical health, and where no member feels that acknowledging a struggle could jeopardize their career or their reputation.

There is strength in seeking help. There is courage in speaking up. And there is absolutely no shame in needing support.

To every member who may be struggling right now, please hear this:

You are more than your job. You are more than your responsibilities. Your worth is not measured by your productivity, your title, or your ability to carry the weight of the world on your shoulders.

You matter. Your life matters. And you do not have to face difficult times alone.

We also ask our members to look out for one another. Reach out to a coworker who seems withdrawn. Check on the friend who always says everything is fine. Make space for honest conversations. Listen without judgment, and encourage those who are struggling to connect with professional support.

We cannot always know what another person is experiencing, but we can make certain that compassion, kindness, and understanding remain at the heart of our union community.

Help Is Available

If you or someone you care about is experiencing emotional distress, mental health challenges, or thoughts of suicide, confidential resources are available:

If someone is in immediate danger, call 911.

► EMHP Benefits: 

• Optum Behavioral Health: EMHP participants can access services through Optum Behavioral Health, which provides Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder benefits, a 24-hour crisis line, referral services, and claims services. The phone number is 1.800.765.6709 and the information is also on the back of your health insurance card, or at www.liveandworkwell.com.
• Optum Crisis Support Resources: Optum Behavioral Health offers a range of crisis support resources on their website, including guides for coping with trauma and lists of local resources for various situations. Visit www.liveandworkwell.com and sign in, then click "Crisis Support" in the navigation menu at the top of the page.

► 24/7 Crisis Hotlines & Text Lines: 

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (Call or Text 988): Free, confidential 24/7 support for suicide prevention, emotional distress, or mental health crises.  
• Response Crisis Center (Website): Suffolk County's local 24/7 crisis and suicide prevention hotline at (631) 751-7500, providing active listening, peer support, and crisis counseling (Spanish line available at 631-751-7423).  
• Family Service League DASH (631-952-3333): A 24/7 emergency hotline for mental health, substance use, and acute life stressors. 
• Crisis Text Line: Text GOT5 to 741741 for 24/7 text-based crisis support.  
• Veterans Crisis Line: Call 988 and press 1, or text 838255. 

► Mobile Crisis & Walk-In Stabilization Centers: 

• Suffolk County Mobile Crisis Team (631-952-3333): Dispatches trained mental health professionals and peer specialists 24/7 to conduct on-site risk assessments, safety planning, and community referrals.  
• DASH Crisis Stabilization Center (631-650-0110 or hotline 631-952-3333): Located at 90 Adams Avenue, Hauppauge, NY. Offers 24/7/365 walk-in crisis care, short-term observation, and stabilization services.  
• Stony Brook Medicine Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Program (CPEP): Provides 24/7 emergency psychiatric evaluations, medical stabilization, and crisis observation. 

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Our Commitment to You

Suffolk AME remains committed to advocating for safe, healthy, and supportive workplaces. That includes recognizing the impact of workplace stress, addressing unreasonable demands, encouraging access to mental health resources, and working to eliminate the stigma that too often prevents people from seeking help.

We have already begun taking steps to equip our unit officers with the skills to support members in crisis. Our Board of Directors was provided with Mental Health First Aid training (MHFA). This evidence-based, innovative program provides training for mental health crises that is much like traditional physical first. MHFA is provided until appropriate professional treatment starts or the crisis resolves. First aiders do not diagnose or treat conditions; they offer support and guide individuals toward care.  

The goals of MHFA are to preserve life when a person is a danger to themselves or others.  Prevent the mental health problem from becoming more severe. Provide comfort and reduce immediate distress. Promote recovery by connecting the individual with professional, peer, or self-help resources.  

Suffolk AME is hoping to be able to roll out this training to additional unit officers to have even more skilled and educated officers to support members in crisis.

We must never accept the idea that emotional exhaustion is simply part of public service or that suffering in silence is a requirement of doing our jobs.

There is no contract provision more important than the life of a member. No grievance more urgent than ensuring that someone in crisis knows where to turn. And no greater demonstration of solidarity than standing beside one another during life's most difficult moments.

We are a union because we believe that no one should have to stand alone.

Today, that belief must extend beyond the workplace and into the lives and well-being of every member of our AME family.

Please take care of yourselves. Please take care of one another. And never forget that asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.

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In solidarity and support,

Suffolk County Association of Municipal Employees Executive Board

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