Supporting Officer Mental Health and Preventing Suicide
With over 169 officer suicides in 2022, mental health support is a matter of life and death for departments nationwide (Blue H.E.L.P., 2023). A national survey revealed 18.5% of officers considered suicide during their career, while 6.2% had suicidal thoughts in just the past year (NFOP, 2021). With rates of PTSD, depression, and anxiety significantly higher in policing compared to the general population, agencies must prioritize officer mental health (Baker & Baker, 2022; NFOP, 2021). Though culture change takes time, implementing research-backed approaches can substantially reduce suicide risk through early intervention. This article provides concrete strategies to proactively support officer mental health based on proven best practices tailored for law enforcement.
Promote Early Intervention
Most mental health conditions are highly treatable if addressed early before spiraling into crisis. But officers often avoid or delay help-seeking due to stigma. Agencies must implement confidential, low-barrier services officers feel safe using preventatively. Key examples include:
- Employee Assistance Programs providing free, anonymous counseling.
- Peer support units led by fellow officers to reduce stigma barriers.
- Chaplain programs welcoming spiritual guidance regardless of beliefs.
- Anonymous text/chat lines like Copline for accessible 24/7 support.
- Self-screening mental health checks through anonymous apps.
- Tele-mental health allowing discreet access to therapy.
Removing obstacles that deter officers from early intervention is crucial. Chief Cervera explains, “We need officers to view stress management as being as important as maintaining your firearm” (IACP, 2022).
Train Supervisors on Warning Signs
Equipping supervisors to recognize emerging mental health problems enables supportive action. Warning signs include (IACP, 2022; Baker & Baker, 2022):
- Declining performance or focus
- Increased citizen complaints or aggression
- Absenteeism and isolation from colleagues
- Code of silence violations or ethical lapses
- Bleak or defeatist attitude about the future
- Talk of being a burden to others
- Giving away possessions and settling affairs
Supervisors should directly yet compassionately discuss observed changes in behavior. Simply showing concern and willingness to help can save lives.
Integrate Mental Health Professionals
While peer support fills a critical role, many struggling officers need clinical expertise. Embedding mental health professionals within departments provides tailored, preemptive care. Results show embedded clinicians:
- Increased officer trust and utilization compared to external referral (Wester et al., 2010).
- Reduced stigma through onsite presence at the station (Karaffa & Koch, 2016).
- Enabled culture change by advising leadership on policy and training (Conti, 2022).
- Provided effective treatment attuned to officer experiences (Mishara & Martin, 2012).
With built-in access to qualified therapists, officers no longer need to overcome hurdles of finding providers covered by insurance who understand policing realities.
Ensure Access to High Quality Clinical Care
For officers needing intensive treatment, agencies must facilitate quality care while eliminating financial and logistical barriers:
- Covering costs of inpatient and outpatient mental health services.
- Allowing flexible schedules or leaves of absence for treatment programs.
- Providing transportation assistance to appointments.
- Screening external providers to verify expertise treating first responders.
- Partnering with specialized law enforcement clinical centers.
- Offering childcare stipends if needed during treatment.
- Maintaining employment and future advancement opportunities.
Research shows treatment rates improve when agencies directly fund care through health plans or direct reimbursement (Wood et al., 2014). Removing obstacles ensures officers focus fully on healing.
Cultivate Mental Health Literacy
Misconceptions and stigma surrounding mental illness persist in policing. Through ongoing education, agencies can build workforce mental health literacy at all levels. Key training elements include:
- Clinical instruction on mental illnesses, symptoms and treatments.
- Neuroscience behind trauma, PTSD, and suicide.
- Stories from officers managing conditions first-hand.
- Debunking myths around disorders impacting ability to serve.
- Resources for self-care, stress management, and support options.
Using both facts and narratives builds understanding and empathy needed to recognize risk factors in oneself and team members.
Restrict Access to Lethal Means
Because police have constant access to firearms, removing weapons temporarily during a mental health crisis can save lives. Policies should:
- Create procedures to respectfully yet urgently confiscate firearms when suicide concerns arise.
- Provide guidelines for when weapons should be returned.
- Allow officers to voluntarily store personal guns with the department as a preventative measure.
Though controversial, chiefs from Dayton and Syracuse report these policies enabled life-saving interventions when officers intended to die by suicide (Police1, 2020).
Incorporate Officer Feedback
Anonymous officer surveys provide data on what current programs officers actually utilize versus where gaps exist that require new approaches. Monitoring mental health and suicide risk factors over time measures impact. Surveys also signal leadership’s genuine commitment to officer wellbeing.
Supporting officer mental health requires a continuous, coordinated strategy. But implementing research-backed policies and resources focused on early intervention and access to care makes suicide preventable. When leaders treat psychological health as central to officer safety, it becomes normalized within the culture. The goal must be proactive mental health promotion tailored to officers’ unique stressors and barriers. With compassionate understanding and evidence-based prevention, agencies can protect those who protect their communities.
One important strategy for understanding officer mental health needs is confidential officer surveys. Regular surveys gathering candid feedback directly from personnel provide police managers data-driven insights into the current state of workforce mental health. Surveys can track worrying trends around depression, PTSD, burnout or suicidal ideation while assessing utilization andgaps in agency wellness programming. Anonymity allows officers to be open about stigmatized topics without fear of judgement or consequences. Monitoring survey data would enable targeted responses as mental health needs evolve over time or during crisis events. Well-constructed surveys demonstrate leadership’s commitment to supporting officers beyondsurface level slogans. Centering officer voices is key for understanding where mental health support is failing and how agencies can improve.
