Reference no: EM133717201

Question: Stress can lead to monumental problems for law enforcement. Therefore, its key for departments to break the perceived stigma and negative culture surrounding mental health services for officers. Historically if an officers pursued mental health services they were seen as weak, unable to perform their duties, and unpromotable. Consequently the "tough Guy" culture emerged where you were just kind of told to suck it up and deal with it. (Dawson, 2019) Since then, we have learned the profound affects that stress can have on an officer when it goes unmanaged. Agencies across the country have begun highlighting the importance of mental health within the law enforcement community to foster a healthier and less demonstrative approach to mental health with things such as confidential counselors available to officers 24 hours a day. As well as internal programs such as peer support, critical incident response teams, and Employee assistance programs. (Otto & Gatens, 2022) All these programs are designed to be confidential, trustworthy and provide guidance to a struggling officer no matter what time of day and no matter the situation. With all these resources starting to become more readily available it's important that we are educating the officers and relaying this information to them on a consistent basis as most officers won't pay attention to it till, they need it. But even with all these programs in place changing the organizational culture is the most important, introducing a healthy work environment that not only supports mental health services but encourages it will go far. Leadership needs to be in touch with their officers and have those one-on-one conversation and check ins, look for those signs of stress, ask about their home life, or just be a voice. Sometimes a simple conversation, goes farther then actions and tells more then actual words.