On Monday night, when a retired NYPD sergeant became the third New York police officer to commit suicide in as many weeks, it marked the most disturbing manifestation yet of a problem plaguing the entire United States, the nation’s most populous city in particular.

Blue HELP, an organization that works to reduce mental health stigma, has documented at least 120 law enforcement suicides across the country in 2019, including as many as 10 officers who have now taken their lives in New York City.

In fact, as a white paper written by the Ruderman Family Foundation revealed in 2018, first responders are more likely to die by suicide than in the line of duty. Further, policemen and firefighters experience PTSD and depression at a rate as much as five times higher than the general population.

Of all cities, this epidemic should strike a particularly emotional nerve in New York — where the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, gave the city a renewed appreciation for the dedication, courage and sacrifices of its first responders.

Today, we are gratified to witness inspired leadership on this issue from a growing number of public officials, including New York Police Commissioner James O’Neill. Commissioner O’Neill has emerged as a tremendous leader in the field, speaking frequently and openly about the need for officers to take care of their well-being.

The New York Police Department has an impressive array of mental health resources, including a 24-hour confidential hotline for police officers. Mental health treatment is increasingly effective, meaning suicide is not an inevitable outcome.

Unfortunately, changing culture takes time. Given the recent events in New York, it is clear that the NYPD can do even more to ensure meaningful, long-term progress toward eradicating the shame and stigma surrounding mental illness.

Enhanced collaboration between departments across the country can aid this process, with such inspiration to be taken from ex-Police Commissioner William Evans in Boston, who like O’Neill understood the necessity of a strong commitment to the mental health of his officers.

Commissioner Evans encouraged officers to seek mental health treatment by speaking about his own experiences. He talked openly about the stress, trauma and exhaustion he experienced in the aftermath of the 2013 Boston Marathon Bombing, during which he led the mission that ultimately led to the arrest of Dzhokhar Tsarnaev. After the arrest, Commissioner Evans’ wife encouraged him to seek counseling, which he called “one of the best things she ever did.”

Now, after a critical incident, an officer is encouraged to access the department’s array of mental health services, and paid time off can be provided. The BPD has a residential campus for mental-health services where officers can stay for up to a week, as well a partnership with McLean Hospital, which provides officers with low-cost psychological services.

Boston officers also have access to a premiere athletic facility; their family members receive education and support regarding mental-health issues; and they benefit from the fundraising and programming of the Boston Police Foundation, an organization committed to promoting mental health and wellness.

Similar cultural change is possible in New York. By continuing to strongly encourage officers to access mental health services annually, the department can enable the city’s heroes to identify issues early and get the help they need. This kind of change takes time, and despite the horrific epidemic New York is enduring, there is hope for a better future on the horizon.

In advance of next week’s 18th anniversary of 9/11, it is incumbent upon New Yorkers and all Americans to acknowledge an important reality: First responders are heroes who run toward danger every day to save the lives of others, yet they’re also human beings whose work exerts a toll on their mental health. It is our collective obligation to support first responders in every way possible, including by making sure they feel welcome and are able to access vital mental health care.

This is a vital commitment to saving the lives of people dedicated to saving the lives of others.

Jay Ruderman is president of the Ruderman Family Foundation.