Robbinsdale Woman Works to Address First Responder Suicide Epidemic
Carol Castle from Robbinsdale lost her son, who was a firefighter, to suicide. She’s now working on suicide prevention efforts through her nonprofit Wrestling 4 Life.
“I just wanted to put the pieces together and I designed this life coin,” said Castle.
Castle created a coin for first responders to keep in their pockets or gym bag. It has the number of a hotline called Safe Call Now to call if they need help.
“That number on there, I think, could’ve helped my son,” said Castle.
Wrestling 4 Life is an offshoot of the Minnesota Wrestling Hall of Fame, which Carol also helped found. She believes in the organization that supports the hotline, Safe Call Now. The hotline is a resource for public safety employees.
“It’s designed to stop the epidemic of police, firefighter, EMS and corrections officers. Suicide is double, triple the rate of civilians,” said Castle.
Mayor Regan Murphy says the organization, and getting the coins into the hands of Robbinsdale police officers, is a no-brainer.
“I think it’s just any way we can help an individual and just let them know there’s a lifeline,” said Murphy.
To learn more about Wrestling 4 Life, click here.
