This Is What You Need to Know about Peer-to-Peer Support and Mental Health in Law Enforcement

Almost 600 police officers died by suicide between 2019 and 2022. Studies show that 30 percent of all first responders experience difficulties with their mental health. And more police officers die from suicide than in the line of duty. In smaller departments, suicide stats are more than three times the national average. 

The Community-Police Relations Foundation believes that effective law enforcement requires police officers to be mentally healthy. The Foundation is helping them achieve and maintain this state through its peer-to-peer support program, Struggle Well. 

First Responders Face Significant Mental Health Challenges  

Police officers and other first responders, like emergency medical personnel, firefighters, and others, face significant mental health challenges daily. The nature of their work exposes them to stress, trauma, and emotional exhaustion. While this does not make these jobs unique, it does make them difficult. The following factors are among those that contribute to the negative impact on officers’ mental health: 

Workload: Law enforcement funding is under pressure. More has to be done with less, with the result that police officers are working harder with fewer resources. The stress from these heightened demands can lead to exhaustion and burnout.  

Exposure to Traumatic Events: Police officers witness and respond to traumatic events, including violent loss of life, human trafficking, and sexual assault. Continuous exposure to these types of events can have lasting psychological effects, making it difficult for officers to engage normally with their loved ones. 

Personal Risk and Fear: Officers are put in dangerous situations where they justifiably fear for their own safety. Criminals wishing to exact revenge or silence them may target them and their families. This constant vigilance can contribute to heightened anxiety and fear. 

Uncertainty and Unpredictability: Police officers are obliged to respond regardless.  They go into situations, often on their own, not knowing what they will find. 

Isolation and Social Stigma: Police officers and their families are increasingly facing negative public sentiment. In some communities, they are ostracized and tormented because of their profession. 

Ethical Dilemmas: Officers must make split-second decisions in dangerous circumstances and enforce policies they may disagree with. They grapple with ethical dilemmas that can lead to moral distress and long-term negative psychological impact. 

Lack of Resources and Support: Limited access to mental health resources further compounds the stress experienced by police officers. Departments can’t afford to grant them the time to seek proper help. Additionally, there is a prevailing culture of not talking about mental health challenges within the law enforcement community.  

The cumulative impact of continuous stress, trauma exposure, and long working hours can lead to mental health issues, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, and substance abuse. 

Addressing the Mental Health of Police Officers 

Addressing the mental health of police officers requires comprehensive strategies and support systems. Ensuring access to mental health resources, counseling services, and support groups is crucial. Training on how to develop and maintain coping strategies and resiliency as well as learning how to recognize signs of emotional or psychological distress can empower officers to manage stress effectively. 

Law enforcement leadership should actively promote a culture that prioritizes mental health, reduces stigma, and encourages seeking help. Establishing peer support programs where colleagues can share experiences, provide emotional support, and debrief can be beneficial. Regularly assessing officers' well-being and offering opportunities for group or solo debriefing sessions provides an outlet for expressing concerns and emotions. 

Ensuring reasonable working hours, breaks, and time off to rest and recharge are also essential to prevent burnout and long-term mental health issues. 

The Struggle Well Program 

The Community-Police Relations Foundation works in some of the most challenging communities. In conjunction with the Boulder Crest Foundation, the Struggle Well Program was created to help address mental health in law enforcement. It is a five-day prevention-focused solution based on the science of Posttraumatic Growth. It has also been applied successfully within multiple first responder agencies and active-duty military units. 

Over 2,000 officers have been through the program in Miami-Dade country. They now have access to support anytime, anywhere. With a simple phone call, fellow officers who have gone through the Struggle Well peer-to-peer training will make themselves available to any officer in need. Florida police chiefs endorsed the program, saying officers are opening up like never before. They are seeing tangible results now that their workers can access the right tools, resources, and training to look after their mental health. 

Recognizing and addressing the mental health challenges faced by law enforcement and other first responders is crucial for maintaining their well-being and ensuring the resilience of our emergency response systems. As Al Eskanazy, founding chairman of the Community-Police Relations Foundation, says, "Society owes a duty to care for those that care for it."