TAMPA, Fla. — The Florida Department of Health reports the suicide rate of first responders is more than two times higher than the overall rate of working-age Floridians.
A Manatee County family grieving the loss of their loved one, who died by suicide in 2015, has made it their mission to help support the mental health of law enforcement officers and firefighters.
Heath Perry and his mother, Kathy Perry say they founded Lt. Joe Perry Lives, LLC in honor of their late brother and son to help support those who serve.
One initiative the non-profit supports is Lt. Perry’s Place. The family felt that offering a judgement-free space to retreat to after work, especially after 2nd and 3rd shifts when other establishments are closed, could help first responders unwind and connect after a long and stressful shift.
“This is a space when at three in the morning when they get off work, they can go talk about their day,” said Heath. “They can talk about what happened at the car wreck or a shooting or whatever catastrophe happened and they can let it out and decompress.”
They also have an outlet to release stress 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Lt. Perry’s Place is free to first responders.
The space provides:
Recreation rooms filled with: pool table, vintage video games, air hockey, foosball
Music room
Common area
Kitchenette
Gym/CrossFit areas
Free counseling
Lt. Perry served with the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office more than twenty years. To Heath, he was a little brother.
“Joseph and I were very close, we fished we did everything together,” said Heath.
Heath wants to extend the bond to Joe’s first responder brothers and sisters by giving them an outlet to focus on mental wellness, where they can connect and heal.
“It took me ten years to come to terms with it and this space is dedicated to him,” said Heath.
“And if I and my mother and we all as a community can save one family from going through what we went through, it’s all worth it.”
The Manatee County location marks the first Lt. Perry’s Place, Heath hopes to open locations in every Florida county and eventually across the nation.
If you or a loved one is struggling, the Suicide and Crisis Hotline is always available at 988.
Melissa Eichman
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