Law enforcement work presents significant challenges, with 83% of officers currently reporting that their mental health is impacting their work, as revealed in the “What Police Want in 2024: Officer Wellbeing” survey. In this article, we take a closer look at the data, based on a sample of 2,833 law enforcement officers, to explore the significant impacts that modern policing has on wellbeing and the solutions needed to address it.
The severity of the crisis
Police job stress can have a significant impact in many ways, with officers reporting the following specific consequences of work-related stress:
- 71% I am suffering from sleep disorders.
- 50% Anger grows.
- 50% Indicates relationship or family problems (arguments, tensions, conflicts, etc.)
- 39% I suffer from depression.
- 36% Endure anxiety and panic attacks.
- 35% Reporting Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSI) or PTSD
- Worrying 11% Work-related stress in particular can lead to suicidal thoughts.
moreover, 16% They reported having experienced suicidal thoughts, feelings of disdain for their own life, thinking others would be better off without them, and feeling indifferent to the value of their own life in the past year. These statistics are especially significant when combined with the findings of a recent groundbreaking study. the study This study reveals that the intensity of suicidal ideation fluctuates more rapidly than previously thought and highlights the need for law enforcement to have access to high-quality support on demand to mitigate the inherent risks associated with their jobs.
It is also important to keep in mind that these statistics reflect a range and intensity of mental distress that far exceeds what is considered normal. For example, the self-reported lifetime prevalence of depression among U.S. adults is approximately 18.4%Fewer than half of law enforcement officers, 39 percent, acknowledge they have depression. Especially due to work stress In the current study.
Unlike the general public, police officers typically undergo psychological testing before joining the job, meaning they typically join the job in good mental health, but our new research shows that police work takes a significant toll on the mental health and wellbeing of officers who serve and protect the communities they serve.
Download Police1’s detailed analysis of the state of the industry on police officer wellbeing research.
Identifying major stressors
To understand the causes of the police health crisis outlined in the statistics above, law enforcement officers cited the following as specific causes of work-related stress:
- Long or irregular working hours (61%).
- Shortage of staff and balancing work and family life (60% Each).
- Exposure to traumatic events (58%).
- The effects of cumulative trauma (57%).
- Poor leadership quality (50%).
Stressors do not usually exist in isolation but accumulate and interact, amplifying challenges and making solutions increasingly elusive. For example, staffing shortages can lead to long and irregular working hours, which in turn increase the risk of family conflict and sleep disorders and exacerbate symptoms of depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress.
Gaps in communication, mental health resources and support
While 72% of law enforcement professionals believe it would be beneficial to discuss work-related stress (frequently or sometimes), only 51% actually have such discussions, highlighting a gap between need and action.
Access to mental wellness resources continues to be limited nationwide, with 53% reporting limited resource availability and 12% reporting no access at all. These discrepancies highlight a critical need that can be addressed with some proactive measures and solutions, outlined below.
- Research National Consortium on Law Enforcement Suicide PreventionThe consortium advocates for a multifaceted approach to addressing suicide prevention, with recommendations on data and research, organizational and systems change, peer support, family support/bereavement, and messaging. advice Institutions implement comprehensive suicide prevention programs that address leadership and culture, access to culturally appropriate mental health services, peer support, and other elements such as data collection that helps develop program plans, evaluate effectiveness, and drive continuous improvement. These guidelines can be used to identify gaps, opportunities, and pathways to strengthen suicide prevention and support in your institution.
- Consider implementing research-based wellness technology solutions. For example, the survey found that 72% of agents Cordico Wellness App In the past year alone, it has reported providing access to suicide prevention resources and helping to prevent actual suicides. The tool can provide rapid, on-demand access to peer support, culturally appropriate mental health resources, family support, suicide prevention support, and other customized wellness tools, backed by police psychologists and other experts, specific to the wellness needs of law enforcement. Additionally, Cordico can help address this challenge, given that 50% of law enforcement agencies cite a lack of leadership as a job-related stressor. Nearly 9 in 10 agencies using Cordico report that Cordico has helped them demonstrate support for their officers.
- Prioritize maintaining well-trained and adequately staffed peer support teams. according to the studyPeer support is beneficial to the majority of law enforcement officers who use it, and 9 in 10 would recommend it to a colleague in a stressful situation. Peer support Training, awareness and utilization are crucial to supporting law enforcement wellbeing and addressing suicide risk.
- Ensure your agency has access Culturally Competent TherapistsQuality mental health professionals are crucial in addressing many issues that fall outside the scope of peer support interventions, such as depression, post-traumatic stress, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts. The good news is that 22% of law enforcement surveyed reported receiving individual counseling within the past three years for stress management, indicating a significant increase in willingness to obtain specialized mental health services. The key is to ensure that law enforcement personnel have ready access to skilled therapists who are familiar with the culture, norms, and expectations of law enforcement.
Dig into insights into the wellness needs of 2,833 police officers and discover how police leaders can lead the implementation of support strategies.
Conclusion
Improving the wellness of law enforcement improves the lives of officers and their families, while also increasing the effectiveness and integrity of the profession as a whole. This is a critical effort. With data-driven insights, innovative solutions, and robust support frameworks, we can build a more resilient, healthier law enforcement community for the future.
