What is Mental Health Training and Why Do Police Need It?
The idea of this article is to examine the mental health training that law enforcement gets, as well as how effective it may be.
According to research, mental illness may be a factor in up to half of all police shootings. Experts say that psychological training can help cops respond more effectively and save lives.
Introduction:
Mental illness could be a factor in up to half of all police shootings according to studies done by the Washington Post. In a study of 2015 police shootings, they found that out of 990 cases studied, 466 people had some sort of mental health condition. This means that almost half of the people shot and killed by police were mentally ill.
What is mental health training?
Mental health training for law enforcement is designed to help police officers better understand and respond to people with mental illness. The goal is to reduce the use of force and save lives.
Why do police need mental health training?
Police need mental health training because it can help them de-escalate situations, avoid using deadly force, and improve communication with people who have mental illness.
How can mental health training improve police response?
Mental health training can improve police response by teaching officers how to recognize the signs of mental illness, how to de-escalate tense situations, and how to communicate effectively with people who have mental illness.
It’s possible that any number of factors could explain why police officers, as well as fire fighters and emergency dispatchers, are frequently overlooked in terms of health and wellbeing.
The public has an inaccurate understanding of what these officers do, according to the report. For example, many people think that these specialists simply carry out the tasks they are supposed to and have become desensitized because to their frequent exposure to critical events—known as traumas by psychologists. Many law enforcement executives may believe that police work is inherently this way, or that officers who can’t handle the stress of the job should simply leave.
In reality, there is no one-size-fits-all solution to address mental health in public safety personnel. A comprehensive and coordinated effort that includes prevention, intervention, treatment and support is required. Education and awareness are critical components in this effort, as is destigmatizing mental health issues so that those who need help feel comfortable seeking it.
Many police departments have implemented some form of mental health training for their officers, but the effectiveness of these programs is often difficult to gauge. Anecdotally, officers say the training has helped them better understand and respond to mentally ill people they encounter on the job. But it’s hard to know how much of that is due to the training itself, and how much is simply a result of officers becoming more comfortable talking about mental health issues in general.
In order to properly assess the effectiveness of mental health training for law enforcement, we need to take a closer look at what these programs entail and how they are being implemented.
Prevention Program
Behavioral health training (BHT) for police officers is a preventative method that can 1) raise awareness of particular concerns that affect a subset of law enforcement personnel, 2) offer psychoeducation about both risk factors and protective mechanisms for possible difficulties, and 3) aid in the identification and intervention of problems as soon as possible. It provides agencies with an opportunity to monitor employee wellness and address these needs systematically.
BHT should start in the academy and be included in continuing departmental training, according to the authors. Also, increasing peer awareness and support may be aided by frequent presentations. Police agencies have historically been difficult to “infiltrate” for mental health professionals looking to assist. A prevention program like BHT, which is focused on education and raising
The authors of BHT recognized the importance of adapting content to fit with law enforcement culture. They were able to do so by using language; presentation style; instructors; media (images and videos); and a cheerful, optimistic, and relaxed approach throughout the course. While several subjects, such as sadness, PTSD, and suicide, are inherently bad in nature, the overall tone of the material was positive and upbeat.
This two-hour BHT program was formed through a collaboration between a police force and a university’s psychology department. It addresses issues identified by previous law enforcement study, as well as the authors’ own experiences as mental health and police professionals.
Sessions concentrate on the most serious concerns that plague far too many cops—stress, depression, substance abuse, sleep deprivation, and suicide—but also touch on other topics like anxiety, anger, and post-traumatic growth.
Stress Session:
The stress session is designed to provide an overview of the types of stress that police officers experience, as well as some common coping mechanisms. It also includes a discussion of how to manage stress in a healthy way.
Tips: There are different ways to deal with stress, and it is important to find what works for you.
– Recognize the signs of stress in yourself and others
– Find healthy ways to cope with stress
– Seek professional help if needed
Depression Session:
The depression session covers the signs and symptoms of depression, as well as its causes and effects. It also includes a discussion of how to get help for depression, both in terms of professional treatment and self-care.
Tips: Depression is a real medical condition that can be treated.
– Know the signs and symptoms of depression
– Seek professional help
– Participate in treatment
Substance Abuse Session:
The substance abuse session covers the signs and symptoms of substance abuse, as well as its causes and effects. It also includes a discussion of how to get help for substance abuse, both in terms of professional treatment and self-care.
Tips: Substance abuse can lead to serious problems, both on and off the job.
– Be aware of the signs of substance abuse
– Seek professional help if needed
– Participate in treatment
Sleep Deprivation Session:
The sleep deprivation session covers the signs and symptoms of sleep deprivation, as well as its causes and effects. It also includes a discussion of how to get help for sleep deprivation, both in terms of professional treatment and self-care.
Tips: Sleep deprivation can have a negative impact on your health and job performance.
– Get enough sleep
– Seek professional help if needed
Suicide Session:
The suicide session covers the signs and symptoms of suicide, as well as its causes and effects. It also includes a discussion of how to get help for someone who may be suicidal, both in terms of professional treatment and self-care.
Tips: Suicide is a preventable tragedy.
– Know the signs of suicide
– Be there for someone in need
– Seek professional help if needed
Anxiety Session:
The anxiety session covers the signs and symptoms of anxiety, as well as its causes and effects. It also includes a discussion of how to get help for anxiety, both in terms of professional treatment and self-care.
Tips: Anxiety and PTSD can be treated.
– Seek professional help
– Participate in treatment
Anger Session:
The anger session covers the signs and symptoms of anger, as well as its causes and effects. It also includes a discussion of how to get help for anger, both in terms of professional treatment and self-care.
Tips: Anger is a normal emotion, but it can become a problem if it’s not managed effectively.
– Recognize the signs of anger in yourself and others
– Find healthy ways to deal with anger
– Seek professional help if needed
Post-Traumatic Growth Session:
The post-traumatic growth session covers the signs and symptoms of post-traumatic growth, as well as its causes and effects. It also includes a discussion of how to get help for post-traumatic growth, both in terms of professional treatment and self-care.
Tips: Post-traumatic growth is a positive outcome that can result from experiencing a traumatic event.
– Be open to the possibility of post-traumatic growth
– Seek professional help if needed
– Participate in treatment
Intervention Program
Crisis intervention training (CIT) is a type of program that provides law enforcement officers with the skills necessary to de-escalate situations involving people with mental illness and to connect them with treatment and support services.
CIT programs typically include a mix of classroom instruction and hands-on training. Officers learn about different types of mental illness and how to recognize the signs and symptoms of someone in crisis. They also learn about de-escalation techniques and how to use verbal and nonverbal communication to defuse tense situations. In some programs, officers also ride along with mental health professionals to see how they handle crisis situations.
Ideally, CIT programs would be mandatory for all police officers. But in many jurisdictions, they are voluntary or only offered to a small number of officers. And even when officers do receive CIT training, it’s often not enough to make a lasting difference. A study of CIT programs in four states found that most lasted only a few days and did not include follow-up training.
Treatment Program:
Organizations such as the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) have developed specialized training programs that focus on helping officers deal with the effects of trauma. The goal of these programs is to provide officers with the skills they need to manage their own stress and emotions, as well as to identify signs of distress in their colleagues.
One such program, called “Critical Incident Response Training,” is offered by the IACP’s Center for Officers in Crisis. The program includes three phases: pre-incident, incident, and post-incident. In the pre-incident phase, officers learn about the signs and symptoms of stress, as well as how to manage their own emotions and stress levels. In the incident phase, officers learn how to respond to a critical incident in a way that minimizes the risk of further trauma. And in the post-incident phase, officers learn about the importance of debriefing after a traumatic event and how to access counseling and other support services.
The IACP’s Center for Officers in Crisis also offers a “Train the Trainer” program that helps police departments develop their own trauma-informed training programs. This program provides department trainers with the knowledge and resources they need to deliver high-quality, trauma-informed training to their colleagues.
The IACP’s “Critical Incident Response Training” program is just one example of the type of specialized training that police officers need to deal with the effects of trauma. There are many other programs available, and it’s important for departments to choose one that best meets their needs.
It’s also important for departments to provide officers with ongoing support after they complete a training program. This might include regular check-ins with a supervisor, access to counseling and other support services, and opportunities to debrief after critical incidents. By offering this type of support, departments can help ensure that officers are better able to cope with the effects of trauma and continue to serve their communities effectively.
Support Program:
Organizations such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) offer support and education programs specifically for law enforcement officers, dispatchers, and their families. These programs provide information about mental illness, how to identify the signs of distress, and where to seek help. NAMI’s “Family-to-Family” program, for example, is a free, eight-week course that provides families with education and support.
NAMI also offers a “First Responder” program that helps officers and dispatchers cope with the stress of their jobs. This program includes four modules: self-care, managing stress, managing vicarious trauma, and building resiliency. Each module includes a video component, as well as downloadable resources that officers can use to continue learning after the program is complete.
In addition to programs like these, it’s important for police departments to have policies and procedures in place that support officers’ mental health. These might include regular mental health check-ups, opportunities for officers to debrief after critical incidents, and access to counseling and other support services. By having these policies and procedures in place, departments can help ensure that officers have the resources they need to deal with the effects of trauma.
Conclusion:
The first step in addressing mental health in public safety personnel is to break down the stigma that surrounds these issues. Education and awareness are critical in this effort, as is destigmatizing mental health issues so that those who need help feel comfortable seeking it.
Mental health training for law enforcement officers is a preventative measure that can raise awareness of particular concerns, offer psychoeducation about risk factors and protective mechanisms, and aid in the identification and intervention of problems as soon as possible. Crisis intervention training is a type of program that provides law enforcement officers with the skills necessary to de-escalate situations involving people with mental illness and to connect them with treatment and support services. Organizations such as the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) have developed specialized training programs that focus on helping officers deal with the effects of trauma. The goal of these programs is to provide officers with the skills they need to manage their own stress and emotions, as well as to identify signs of distress in their colleagues. Organizations such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) offer support and education programs specifically for law enforcement officers, dispatchers, and their families. These programs provide information about mental illness, how to identify the signs of distress, and where to seek help.
Additional Resources
In addition to specialized training and support programs, there are many other resources available to help police officers deal with the effects of trauma. These include:
-The IACP’s Center for Officers in Crisis: The IACP’s Center for Officers in Crisis offers a variety of resources on topics related to officer mental health, including an online training program, a “Train the Trainer” program, and a resource library.
-NAMI’s Law Enforcement Mental Health Toolkit: NAMI’s Law Enforcement Mental Health Toolkit is a free, online resource that provides information and resources on topics such as stress management, vicarious trauma, and suicide prevention.
-The Department of Justice’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS): COPS offers a variety of resources on community policing, including information on building trust and legitimacy, dealing with mental health issues, and managing stress.
-The IACP’s Officer Safety and Wellness Toolkit: The IACP’s Officer Safety and Wellness Toolkit is a free, online resource that provides information and resources on topics such as fitness, nutrition, sleep, and mental health.
-The National Center for PTSD: The National Center for PTSD is a national resource that provides information on trauma, PTSD, and related topics.
-The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): SAMHSA is a federal agency that offers resources on behavioral health topics, including information on trauma, stress, and mental health.
-The International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP): The IACP is a professional association that offers resources on a variety of topics related to policing, including officer safety and wellness, use of force, and community policing.
