September is National Suicide Prevention Month. Nationwide, first responders are 10 times more likely to attempt suicide than the general population. This week, we urged officers struggling with mental health challenges to seek help. Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister, State Senator Jay Collins and representatives from the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay joined me to highlight free resources available to first responders.
As the wife of a law enforcement officer, I understand the stigma officers may perceive when struggling with the unseen scars of their service. We have lost way too many of our bravest to suicide. In fact, more first responders take their own lives than die in the line of duty. Just this year, five Florida officers died by suicide—in contrast to three officers lost in the line of duty. Continue reading
About the Ocala Metro Chamber and Economic Partnership
The Ocala Metro Chamber and Economic Partnership (CEP) was created to be a one-stop hub for the community’s business attraction, creation and retention efforts. The CEP’s mission is to be THE catalyst for a prosperous community. The 2020 ACCE National Chamber of the Year, the CEP has directly impacted the announced creation of nearly 11,000 new jobs and more than $1.6 billion in capital investment and is seeking an additional 5,000 jobs and $1 billion in investment by 2027. For more information, visit: www.OcalaCEP.com.
About the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives
Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) is the professional society supporting the women and men who lead local, regional, statewide and international chambers of commerce and related business and economic development organizations. Our membership includes more than 1,600 business/civic organizations worldwide. We provide our members with information resources, thought leadership, education programs, original research, benchmarking, retirement security, and access to a network of peers.
Mission BBQ (stylized as MISSION BBQ) is an American barbecue restaurant chain based in Glen Burnie, Maryland. Bill Kraus and Steve Newton opened the first location on September 11, 2011, as a way to support the military, police, firefighters, and first responders.
I must have been a sleep at the wheel. I have never been to Mission BBQ. When I try to tell people about my new experience at Mission BBQ they they have already been there. I thought it was a best kept secret. It was not! I had the best brisket on a bun than I have had in years. You could get it wet or lean. The wet had some marbling and was very moist and tender, I will do that again. I will go online and see what else they have to offer but the people were friendly, the service was out of sight and the food was over the wall.
CEP – Click to learn more
