Mental Health in Policing: Strategies and Early Help

Policing in Canada is a tough job. Officers often face traumatic events, constant stress, and pressure from their organizations. These challenges, combined with a culture that often expects officers to be “tough,” mean that police officers have higher rates of mental health problems than other Canadians. This article looks at the need for mental health support in policing, the risks of waiting too long to get help, best practices, legal issues, resources in Alberta and Canada, and current discussions on this important topic.

Knowing the Early Warning Signs

It’s important to understand the different ways that mental health problems can show up in police officers. These signs can be seen in their behavior, emotions, thinking, and physical health. Catching these signs early is crucial to prevent things from getting worse.

Behavioral Changes: Watching Actions and Interactions

Changes in an officer’s actions and how they interact with others can be clues to underlying mental health struggles. These changes might be small at first but become more obvious over time. Some key behavioral signs include:

• Increased Irritability and Aggression: Officers who were once patient may become short-tempered, easily irritated, and more likely to get angry, even in situations that wouldn’t normally cause such reactions. This can be seen in how they interact with colleagues, suspects, and even family members.

• Social Withdrawal: A noticeable retreat from social interactions is a major red flag. Officers may start avoiding colleagues, skipping social events with friends, and isolating themselves from family. This isolation can worsen feelings of loneliness and despair.

• Work Performance Decline: Mental health struggles often affect an officer’s ability to do their job effectively. This can include being late to work or meetings, missing work more often, a drop in productivity, or difficulty completing routine tasks that were previously easy.

• Impulsive Behavior: Officers experiencing mental distress might engage in unusually reckless or impulsive behaviors. This could include using alcohol or drugs to cope, excessive gambling, engaging in risky activities, or showing poor judgment at work.

• Neglect of Self-Care: A decline in personal hygiene and appearance can also indicate underlying issues. Officers who once took pride in their appearance may start neglecting their grooming, wearing unkempt uniforms, or showing a general lack of concern for their physical well-being.

• Cynicism: A growing negative attitude towards the job, the public, and life in general can point to a deeper struggle.

Emotional Signals: The Internal Struggles

The emotional impact of policing can be huge, and recognizing the internal struggles officers face is essential. Emotional signs, although less visible than behavioral changes, are equally important.

• Persistent Sadness: A constant sense of sadness, hopelessness, or emptiness that lasts for a long time is a key symptom of depression. This goes beyond normal sadness and can interfere with an officer’s ability to function.

• Anxiety and Worry: Excessive worry, constant anxiety, or panic attacks are clear signs of an anxiety disorder. These feelings can be overwhelming and make it hard for officers to manage daily stress.

• Emotional Numbness: Some officers respond to trauma and stress by becoming emotionally numb. This can show up as a lack of emotional response, a feeling of being disconnected from their own feelings and the feelings of others.

• Absence of Joy: An inability to experience joy, even in activities that were once enjoyable, is a key symptom of depression in law enforcement.

• Increased Emotional Reactivity: Some officers may experience increased emotional sensitivity, becoming easily overwhelmed by situations that previously wouldn’t have affected them.

• Guilt and Shame: Feelings of guilt, shame, or worthlessness, especially related to things that happened on the job or perceived failures, can weigh heavily on an officer’s mental state.

Cognitive Impacts: Thinking and Processing

Mental health issues frequently affect how officers think, concentrate, and make decisions.

• Concentration Difficulties: Officers might struggle to concentrate on tasks, have difficulty focusing during briefings or investigations, or have trouble making decisions, even in routine situations.

• Intrusive Thoughts: Recurring, unwanted thoughts or flashbacks of traumatic events are a key feature of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in law enforcement.

• Negative Self-Talk: A pattern of negative self-talk and self-criticism can hurt an officer’s self-esteem and contribute to feelings of hopelessness.

• Memory Impairment: Difficulty remembering details of events, conversations, or procedures can be a symptom of stress, trauma, or other mental health conditions.

• Suicidal Thoughts: Any mention of suicidal thoughts, whether direct or indirect, must be taken extremely seriously and requires immediate help, as the APA stresses.

Physical Manifestations: The Body’s Response

Mental health struggles often show up as physical symptoms. These physical signs can be easily overlooked or blamed on other causes, so it’s important to consider them as part of an officer’s overall well-being.

• Sleep Disturbances: Changes in sleep patterns, such as trouble falling asleep or staying asleep (insomnia) or sleeping too much, are common signs of mental health conditions, as CopLine points out. Issues with sleep can point to sleep disorders in Canadian law enforcement.

• Appetite Changes: Big changes in appetite, leading to either weight loss or weight gain, can be a sign of underlying emotional distress.

• Chronic Fatigue: Feeling tired and exhausted all the time, even after getting enough rest, can be a symptom of depression, anxiety, or other mental health conditions.

• Unexplained Pain: Chronic pain, such as backaches, muscle tension, or other physical discomfort without a clear medical reason, can sometimes be linked to mental health struggles.

• Gastrointestinal Issues: Stress and anxiety can cause digestive problems, such as stomach upset, nausea, or irritable bowel syndrome.

• Headaches: Frequent headaches or migraines can be triggered or worsened by stress and mental health conditions.

Policing-Specific Risk Factors: Unique Challenges

While many of the warning signs discussed above are common to many mental health conditions, policing has unique risk factors that increase officers’ vulnerability.

• Exposure to Trauma: Police work involves repeated exposure to traumatic events. Officers regularly see death, violence, human suffering, and disturbing crime scenes, which can contribute to PTSD in first responders.

• Shift Work: 24/7 policing often requires officers to work rotating shifts, including nights and weekends. This disrupts the body’s natural sleep-wake cycle, leading to sleep disorders, fatigue, and increased stress.

• Public Scrutiny: Police officers are constantly under public scrutiny. Their actions are subject to intense media attention, public criticism, and social media. This constant pressure can contribute to feelings of stress and anxiety.

• Organizational Stressors: Internal factors within police organizations can also contribute to mental health challenges. Bureaucratic procedures, lack of support from supervisors, not enough resources to do their jobs effectively, and unfair disciplinary procedures can all create significant stress.

• Barriers to Seeking Help: Perhaps the biggest challenge is the presence of multiple barriers that prevent officers from seeking the mental health support they need.

  • Stigma: There’s often a stigma around mental health within many police cultures. Officers may fear being seen as weak or unfit for duty if they admit to struggling.
  • Career Concerns: Officers may worry that seeking mental health therapy will negatively impact their careers.
  • Confidentiality Concerns: Many officers don’t trust that mental health services will be kept confidential.
  • “Tough Guy” Culture: Traditional police culture often emphasizes self-reliance and suppressing emotions. This “tough guy” image can make it hard for officers to admit vulnerability or seek help.

Real-World Scenarios: Showing the Risks

To show how these risk factors and warning signs can play out in real life, consider these examples:

• Scenario 1: An officer is involved in a shooting. Afterward, the officer isolates himself from colleagues, has nightmares about the event, and finds it hard to concentrate at work. He avoids talking about it.

• Scenario 2: An officer working long hours on a demanding case becomes increasingly irritable and short-tempered with her family and colleagues. She has trouble sleeping, gets frequent headaches, and starts drinking alcohol to unwind after her shifts.

• Scenario 3: An officer is facing public complaints and an internal investigation. He starts having panic attacks, feels hopeless, and questions his ability to continue working as a police officer.

The Impact of Delayed Intervention: A Series of Consequences

When early warning signs of mental health issues are ignored, the consequences can be severe, affecting the officer, their families, their colleagues, the police organization, and the community.

Immediate Effects: Job Performance and Relationships

In the short term, delayed intervention can lead to negative effects that impact an officer’s ability to do their job and maintain healthy relationships.

• Impaired Job Performance: Mental health conditions can significantly impair an officer’s thinking and emotional functioning. This can lead to poor decision-making, reduced situational awareness, and an increased risk of making mistakes.

• Worsening Mental Health: Without help, mental health symptoms tend to get worse over time.

• Substance Abuse Risk: Officers may turn to alcohol or drugs to cope with emotional distress.

• Relationship Strain: Mental health issues can strain relationships with family, friends, and colleagues.

• Increased Use of Force: Impaired judgment and emotional control resulting from untreated mental health conditions can increase the likelihood of officers using excessive force.

Long-Term Consequences: Chronic Conditions and Loss

Over the long term, failing to address mental health issues can lead to devastating consequences.

• Chronic Mental Illness: Untreated mental health conditions can become chronic, requiring ongoing treatment.

• Physical Health problems: Chronic Stress is a known contributor to several physical health issues.

• Career Loss: In some cases, officers may have to leave their jobs due to the severity of their mental health conditions.

• Family Breakdown: The strain that mental health issues place on relationships can lead to divorce or separation.

• Suicide: In the most tragic cases, untreated mental health issues can lead to suicide. The rate of suicide among police officers is significantly higher than in the general population.

Societal Impact: Trust and Costs

The consequences of untreated mental health issues in policing also have broader societal implications.

• Erosion of Public Trust: When officers struggling with untreated mental health problems have negative interactions with the public, it can damage community relations and erode public trust.

• Increased Financial Burden: The costs associated with untreated mental health issues in policing are substantial, including healthcare expenses, disability claims, and legal proceedings.

Proactive Mental Health Support: Best Practices

To reduce the risks and consequences of mental health issues in policing, a proactive and comprehensive approach is essential. This involves strategies focused on prevention and early identification, and ongoing support.

Peer Support: Colleagues Helping Colleagues

Peer support programs are a valuable resource. These programs train officers to provide confidential emotional support, guidance, and referrals to professional help for their colleagues. The International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) highlights the importance of peer support.

Mandatory Counseling: Addressing Trauma Proactively

Mandatory counseling sessions for officers after critical incidents, such as shootings or major accidents, can be a proactive way to address potential trauma.

Comprehensive Mental Health Training: Education and Awareness

Regular and comprehensive mental health training for all officers and supervisors is crucial. This training should cover:

• Recognizing Warning Signs: Teaching officers how to recognize warning signs in themselves and others.
• Understanding Mental Health Conditions: Providing information about common mental health conditions.
• Reducing Stigma: Actively working to reduce the stigma around mental health.
• Communication Skills: Teaching effective communication skills for talking about mental health.
• Self-Care Strategies: Providing officers with tools for managing stress and promoting their well-being.

The IACP also advocates for comprehensive mental health training.

Confidential Access to Professionals: Ensuring Privacy and Support

Easy and confidential access to qualified mental health professionals is essential. Police organizations should ensure officers have access to therapists, counselors, and other providers experienced in working with law enforcement.

Regular Mental Health Check-ups: A Preventative Approach

Regular, voluntary, and confidential mental health check-ups can help identify potential issues early on.

Leadership’s Role: Setting the Tone

Visible support for mental health initiatives from police leadership is critical for creating a culture that prioritizes mental well-being.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): A Powerful Tool

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a widely recognized and effective form of therapy that can be particularly helpful for police officers. CBT helps people identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors. The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) provides information on CBT. CBT and CBT-I for law inforcement can help with:

• Depression
• Anxiety disorders
• PTSD
• Substance abuse
• Sleep problems in police officers

Benefits of Early CBT Intervention:

• Symptom Prevention: CBT for police officers can help prevent mental health symptoms from getting worse.
• Coping Skills Development: CBT equips officers with practical tools for managing stress and regulating emotions.
• Improved Well-being: CBT can improve overall mental well-being by promoting positive thinking and resilience.
• Reduced Risk of Chronicity: Early intervention with CBT can reduce the likelihood of mental health conditions becoming chronic.

Legal and Ethical Considerations

Providing mental health support to police officers involves a complex mix of legal and ethical considerations.

Confidentiality: Protecting Privacy

Protecting the confidentiality of officers’ mental health information is essential.

Duty to Accommodate: Legal Obligations

Under Canadian human rights laws, employers must accommodate employees with disabilities, including mental health disabilities.

Fitness for Duty Evaluations: Balancing Safety and Rights

Fitness for duty evaluations may be necessary if an officer’s mental health condition may pose a risk to safety. These evaluations must be conducted by qualified professionals and based on objective evidence. The IACP provides guidance on fitness for duty evaluations.

Ethical Obligations: Fairness and Support

Police organizations have an ethical obligation to:

• Create a Supportive Environment: Foster a workplace culture that supports officers with mental health issues.
• Ensure Fair Treatment: Treat officers with mental health conditions fairly.
• Balance Privacy and Safety: Carefully balance the privacy rights of officers with the need for public safety.

Resources in Canada and Alberta: Support Networks

Several resources are available in Canada, and specifically in Alberta, to provide mental health support to police officers.

Canadian Context: National Initiatives

• Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC): The MHCC has developed a national standard for psychological health and safety in the workplace.
• Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP): The RCMP has its own mental health strategy, including programs and services for its members. RCMP Website.

Alberta-Specific Resources: Local Support

Alberta offers resources tailored to the needs of police officers in the province.

• Alberta Health Services (AHS): AHS provides mental health services to all Albertans, including police officers. [https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/amh/amh.aspx]
• Workers Compensation Board - Alberta Provides Alberta WCB mental health support for police officers and presumptive coverage for psychological injuries. [https://www.wcb.ab.ca/assets/pdfs/workers/WFS_Psychological_injuries.pdf]
• Edmonton Police Service: Has an Employee and Family Assistance Program.[https://www.edmontonpolice.ca/Careers/ExperiencedOfficers]
• Calgary Police Service: Offers mental health programs and services to its members. [https://www.calgary.ca/cps/about-cps/how-we-work/employee-support.html]
• Badge of Life Canada: This peer-led organization supports Canadian police officers struggling with operational stress injuries and PTSD. [https://badgeoflifecanada.org/]
• The Tema Conter Memorial Trust: This organization offers support and resources to first responders and their families. [https://www.tema.ca/]
• First Responders’ Mental Health Grant Program (Alberta): The Alberta government provides funding to organizations that offer mental health support to first responders.
• Culturally Sensitive Resources for Indigenous Officers: Efforts are being made to ensure Indigenous officers have access to culturally appropriate mental health care.

Data and Statistics: Quantifying the Issue

Data consistently show the significant mental health challenges faced by Canadian police officers.

• Elevated Rates of Mental Health Issues: Canadian police officers experience higher rates of mental health issues compared to the general population, as a Public Safety Canada report indicates.

• CIPSRT Study: A study by the Canadian Institute for Public Safety Research and Treatment (CIPSRT) estimated the following rates among Canadian public safety personnel:

  • PTSD: 20-30%
  • Depression: Approximately 26%
  • Anxiety: Close to 26% [https://www.cipsrt-icrtsp.ca/]

• Suicide Rates: Suicide rates among police officers are a serious concern in Canada, with higher rates compared to the general population, as highlighted by Public Safety Canada. [https://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/cnt/rsrcs/pblctns/2019-s005/index-en.aspx]

Moving Forward

Addressing the mental health crisis in policing requires a combined and sustained effort. Police organizations, governments, healthcare providers, and individual officers must work together to create a culture that prioritizes mental well-being, provides accessible support, and eliminates stigma. By investing in proactive strategies and early intervention, we can protect the mental health of those who protect us. If you are a first responder in Alberta looking for support or resources, reach out to Responders First today. We are here to help you navigate the challenges and find the support you need.

Don Davis

15+ years of emergency response experience. Passionate about connecting our first responder communities with critical resources. Author of hundreds of articles and guides on First Responders mental health care. When not responding to emergencies, you can find me playing with my dogs, hiking, or enjoying a good book.