What are some of the personal and professional obstacles An officer faces with regard to seeking counseling?

Seeking counseling voluntarily would NEVER automatically mean that an officer is unfit for duty….These factors include:

• Shift work.
• Long hours.
• Unpredictable schedules.
• Exposure to critical incidents.
• Being the frequent focus of public attention and criticism.
• Various physical demands.
• High rates of on-the-job injuries.

Why is mental health important for police officers?

Peace officers in California and across the nation are frequently called upon to manage incidents involving people with mental illness in crisis. Specialized training on the topic of mental health helps to prepare peace officers to resolve these incidents in a safe and effective manner.

Why do individuals with mental health issues commonly avoid mental health services?

More than half of people with mental illness don’t receive help for their disorders. Often, people avoid or delay seeking treatment due to concerns about being treated differently or fears of losing their jobs and livelihood.

What are some barriers to mental health?

The results revealed that the most common barriers are fear of stigmatization, lack of awareness of mental health services, sociocultural scarcity, scarcity of financial support, and lack of geographical accessibility, which limit the patients to utilize mental health services.

Are law enforcement officers exposed to extreme levels of stress?

Acknowledging that law enforcement officers are exposed daily to “extreme levels of occupational stressors,” the researchers note that there are substantial differences in perceived stress by individual officers who are exposed to similar stressors.

Why do law enforcement officers need better mental health services?

Due to the stressful nature of their occupations, law enforcement officers need better access to mental health services to improve their health and help alleviate the anxiety that is a byproduct of their jobs.”.

Are police officers emotionally intelligent?

The concept that police officers are tough, and that trauma and violence have minimal impact on their emotional health is a myth. Showing emotions is no longer considered a weakness, and as a result, law enforcement departments are placing great value on officers who exhibit emotional intelligence. What Is Emotional Intelligence?

Why is it important to respect law enforcement officers?

Police officers meet so many people day in and day out that they forget that these are humans with real issues. It’s imperative that everyone is treated with kindness, compassion, and respect. This ensures that the community feels protected and has confidence in their law enforcement officers.