Peabody Police Awarded State Mental Health, Suicide Prevention Grant

PEABODY, MA — The Peabody Police Department was awarded a $57,350 state grant designed to assist law enforcement in coping with job-related stress and preventing suicide through trained peer support networks.

Senate Assistant Majority Leader Joan B. Lovely (D-Salem) said Peabody police were awarded the grant through the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security's Peer Support and Crisis Intervention Services Program.

The funding will support the Peabody Police Department in expanding peer support services and critical incident stress management programs, providing officers with the essential mental health resources they need.

"Our local police officers face immense challenges, and this funding will ensure they have access to the support they need on and off-duty," Lovely said.

EOPSS's Peer Support and Crisis Intervention Services Program awarded $712,500 to eight police departments across the Commonwealth to enhance mental health resources for members of law enforcement.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)