Before coming to the United States, Celal Surgit played goalie for a professional soccer team in his native Turkey and built an import-export business in Russia. He worked as a Chicago police officer since 2005.
Before the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline launched nationally last July, experts often dubbed it 911 for mental health crises: a short, easy-to-remember emergency number that any person could phone. Seven months after 988 went live, advocates and mental health professionals say the crisis line is a significant step in expanding mental health services. However,.
An off-duty Chicago police officer was found dead Thursday morning after suffering an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound in Norwood Park, marking the latest suicide this year in a department grappling with a mental health crisis.