BRIDGEWATER — Chief Christopher D. Delmonte is pleased to share that the Bridgewater Police Department has partnered with Local Outreach to Suicide Survivors (LOSS) Team Plymouth County to support those impacted by a death by suicide.
LOSS Team Plymouth County launched in January 2023. It is a group of trained volunteers who work with police departments across Plymouth County to bring hope and support to survivors in the immediate wake of the loss of a loved one.
Through the new partnership, when a death is believed to be suicide, Bridgewater Police will contact the LOSS Team and volunteers will respond to the scene and speak with the survivor(s). The outreach team involves two or more volunteers, including a suicide loss survivor, who connect the survivors to services and resources for use whenever they feel ready.
The outreach team provides a packet with information such as how to talk to kids about a suicide loss and how grief is experienced differently among people. The team also provides resources such as contact information for the state’s Behavioral Health Help Line and Alliance of Hope, and a list of suggested podcasts and books.
“We are thrilled that Bridgewater Police is working with us on this important initiative to bring a compassionate peer response to the bereaved immediately following a suicide loss,” said LOSS Team Plymouth County Team Coordinator Lauren Folloni. “We hope that the LOSS Team is never needed in this community in the future, but if it is, we are glad to know the police department will reach out. Charlette Fenstermaker and I lead this team together and would like to extend our thanks to Chief Delmonte for his partnership.”
The Bridgewater Police Department is the twelfth department in Plymouth County to partner with the LOSS Team.
“As a department, we are deeply grateful for this partnership with the LOSS Team Plymouth County,” said Chief Delmonte. “Together, we are strengthening our ability to provide crucial support to individuals and families affected by suicide. This collaboration allows us to expand our resources and ensure that those in need have access to compassionate care and assistance.”
The original LOSS team was launched in 1998 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Dr. Frank Campbell developed the LOSS team model after his research revealed that it took an average of 4.5 years for survivors of suicide loss to reach out for help. After LOSS Teams were implemented, that timeframe decreased to just 45 days, according to LOSS Team Plymouth County.
Learn more about the LOSS Team Plymouth County lossteamplymouthcounty.org.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 9-8-8 or chat 988lifeline.org to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
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