City Of Fargo: Fargo Police Department Receives Giving Hearts Day Award

Press release from the City of Fargo:

02/01/2022

The Fargo Police Department was recognized by the Dakota Medical Foundation for its recent work in youth suicide prevention. The department was honored with a “Giving Heart Award” at the Dakota Medical Foundation’s annual meeting on Monday, Jan. 24. This award is presented to select individuals and organizations throughout the region that exemplify compassion, care and kindness while leading lives of exemplary service and giving to others. The Fargo Police Department was selected as the 2021 recipient for breaking the silence around youth suicide and for role-modeling this courageous communication it takes to save lives.

Suicide has become the second leading cause of death among teens in the US. During the past year, the Fargo community suffered the tragic losses of two students by suicide. The Fargo Police Department took an active role in prevention of further tragedies. In a collaborated effort, the Fargo Police Department’s Badges of Unity Fund and Dakota Medical Foundation created a short film “Breaking the Silence” as free video resource available to local schools and community members. The film focuses on prevention and education about suicide. This documentary captured testimonials from local families whose lives have been touched by suicide and features a conversation between local healthcare professionals and students, demonstrating and offering guidelines about what a conversation about mental health might look like.

For more information about the “Break the Silence” video and other resources available, visit breakthesilencetogether.org.

This press release was produced by the City of Fargo. The views expressed here are the author’s own.