Mental Health Support for RCMP Officers in Alberta

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) are vital for keeping Alberta and the rest of Canada safe. RCMP officers often face tough and stressful situations, which can put them at risk for mental health issues, including operational stress injuries (OSIs). The RCMP has changed how it views mental health, moving from expecting officers to “tough it out” to understanding the importance of mental well-being. This article looks at the history, treatments, current practices, challenges, and future of mental health support for RCMP officers in Alberta.

A History of Changing Attitudes

The RCMP, originally called the North-West Mounted Police, didn’t always have a system for dealing with the stress of police work. Early on, officers had to handle the emotional and mental challenges on their own. Mental health problems were often seen as a weakness.

Things started to change in the late 20th century, especially with the recognition of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in the 1980s. Events like the Mayerthorpe tragedy in 2005, where four RCMP officers in Alberta were killed, highlighted the dangers and mental trauma of police work.

These events led to changes in RCMP policy. The organization began putting more resources into mental health support and training. As public awareness of mental health grew, the stigma around it started to fade. The RCMP has made many attempts to provide better resources to its members.

Therapy Options for Treatment

The RCMP uses or provides access to several types of therapy to help officers. These include:

Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT): CPT helps officers deal with negative thoughts and beliefs from traumatic experiences. It focuses on “stuck points”—thoughts that prevent recovery. For example, an officer involved in a shooting might think, “It’s my fault.” CPT helps the officer look at the evidence for and against this belief, find other ways of thinking, and develop a more balanced view. CPT is useful because it’s structured, effective for PTSD in first responders, and usually short-term (about 12 sessions). The RCMP uses this as a method. However, CPT might not work for officers who have trouble talking about the trauma or have complex trauma histories.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR):
EMDR uses side-to-side eye movements (or taps or sounds) to help process traumatic memories. This helps the brain “unfreeze” the memory, allowing it to be processed and become less upsetting. During EMDR, the officer focuses on the memory while doing the eye movements. This is repeated until the memory is less distressing. EMDR has been shown to be effective for RCMP PTSD treatment, especially for those who find regular talk therapy hard. But some might find the eye movements uncomfortable.
Prolonged Exposure (PE):
PE therapy is based on the idea that facing a feared situation in a safe way will reduce anxiety over time. Officers gradually face trauma-related memories, feelings, and situations they’ve been avoiding. This might include talking about the event, listening to recordings of it, or visiting places that trigger anxiety. PE is effective for PTSD, especially for reducing avoidance. But it can be emotionally tough, and some officers might hesitate because of the intense emotions.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT):
ACT focuses on accepting difficult thoughts and feelings without judgment. Officers learn to notice their thoughts and feelings without getting caught up in them. ACT also helps officers identify their values and take actions that align with them, even when feeling distressed. This therapy can help with many issues, including anxiety and depression, which often occur with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in the RCMP. While ACT helps with overall well-being, it might not focus on trauma processing as directly as CPT or PE.

Current Practices in the RCMP

The RCMP has several ways of addressing the mental health of its officers:

Periodic Health Assessments: Regular health checks, including a mental health part, are important. Officers can discuss their mental well-being with a professional, identify concerns, and get referrals for more support. These checks help with early detection, which is key for treatment.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP): The EAP provides confidential counseling, crisis help, and referrals to other resources for officers and their families. It’s often the first place officers go for support, offering a private way to deal with stress.
Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM): CISM helps officers deal with the stress of critical incidents, like shootings or accidents. It includes debriefing sessions where officers can talk about their experiences, share emotions, and learn about normal stress reactions. CISM aims to prevent serious mental health problems by providing early support.
Road to Mental Readiness (R2MR) Program: R2MR is a training program to reduce stigma, build resilience, and improve mental health knowledge among officers. It covers stress management, coping skills, recognizing signs of distress, and how to get support. R2MR is provided throughout an officer’s career.
RCMP Occupational Health and Safety Policy: This policy is designed to safeguard RCMP members. It covers physical and psychological health, safety, and security in the workplace.
Operational Stress Injury (OSI) Clinics: OSI clinics offer specialized assessment and treatment for veterans and RCMP officers with OSIs. They provide care from psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, and occupational therapists. While OSI clinics are valuable, they may not be available everywhere.

Challenges to Mental Health Support

Despite these efforts, there are still challenges:

Stigma: The stigma around mental illness is still a problem in the RCMP. Officers may worry that seeking help will be seen as a weakness, affecting their careers or relationships. This fear can lead to silence and delay in getting help.
“Tough” Police Culture: Traditional police culture, which values toughness and emotional control, can discourage officers from addressing their mental health. This can make it hard to talk openly about mental health.
Limited Resources: Getting timely and specialized mental health care can be hard, especially in remote areas. There may not be enough professionals who specialize in operational stress injuries, leading to long wait times.
Officer Hesitation: Some officers may not want to engage in therapy because they don’t trust the system, worry about confidentiality in therapy, or fear it will affect their careers. This can come from bad experiences or a lack of understanding about therapy.
Accessibility in Remote Areas: Officers in remote areas of Alberta and other parts of Canada face challenges in getting services. The lack of professionals and long distances to clinics make it hard to get care.
Privacy Issues: RCMP members might encounter situations where their privacy is compromised.

Alberta’s Unique Situation

Alberta presents specific challenges:

Operational Demands of the Region: Alberta’s large size, including remote areas, creates unique demands. Officers often work long hours, cover large areas, and may face isolation. High crime rates in some communities also expose officers to more traumatic events.
Availability of Resources: Access to services can be more limited in rural areas of Alberta compared to cities. This makes it harder for officers in these areas to get care.
Demographic Diversity: Alberta has a diverse population, including a significant Indigenous population. Mental health services need to be culturally sensitive and responsive to the unique needs of Indigenous communities.
Specific Types of Trauma: RCMP officers in Alberta may face specific types of trauma more often, including:
- Serious car accidents, due to the large highway network and tough driving conditions.
- Violent crime and domestic violence, especially in high-crime communities.
- Natural disasters, like wildfires and floods.
- The opioid crisis, which has put extra stress on law enforcement.
Alberta-Specific Support Services: Alberta offers mental health services, but access varies:
Alberta Health Services (AHS): AHS provides mental health and addiction services. But wait times can be long, especially in rural areas, and specialized services for OSIs may be limited.
Occupational Stress Injury (OSI) Clinics: Alberta has OSI clinics in Edmonton and Calgary. They offer a team approach but may be limited by location and capacity.
First Responder Support Network: This network provides resources and support to first responders across Canada, including Alberta.

Ongoing Issues and Debates

There are ongoing discussions in the field of mental health support for law enforcement:

Mandatory Mental Health Check-ups: There’s debate about mandatory check-ups. Some say they could help identify problems early and reduce stigma. Others worry about privacy and creating distrust.
Alternative Therapeutic Approaches: Besides traditional therapies Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for RCMP, there’s interest in mindfulness, yoga, and animal-assisted therapy. More research is needed on these for police officers.
The Role of Leadership: Strong leadership is vital for a positive mental health culture. There’s debate about how to hold leaders accountable and create an environment where officers feel safe seeking help.
The use of Peer Support: Peer support is widely accepted, but proper training is essential.

Assessing the Impact

Evaluating the effectiveness of mental health programs is important:

RCMP Data Collection: The RCMP collects data on officer mental health, but much of it isn’t public. This makes it hard for outside researchers to assess the overall effectiveness.
Limited RCMP-Specific Studies: There aren’t many studies specifically on RCMP programs. More research is needed on the impact of programs like R2MR and the EAP.
Positive Outcomes in General Research: Research on Trauma-Informed Therapy for RCMP shows positive results. Treatments like CBT, EMDR, and PE can reduce PTSD symptoms and improve functioning.
Qualitative Feedback: Feedback from officers who have used services shows that many find them helpful. But it also highlights barriers to access, stigma, and concerns about confidentiality.

Future Steps

To improve mental health support for RCMP officers in Alberta and Canada, several areas need attention:

More Research: More research is needed on the specific needs of RCMP officers, the effectiveness of different therapies, and the long-term impact of OSIs.
Improved Access to Care: Efforts should be made to improve access, especially in remote areas. This could include more professionals specializing in OSIs, telehealth, and mobile clinics.
Continued Stigma Reduction: It’s vital to keep working to reduce stigma through open communication, education, and a supportive culture.
Early Intervention Strategies: Early intervention programs, like screening and resilience training, may help prevent serious problems.
Integrated Care Model: Combining mental health care with other services, like physiotherapy and rehab, could help officers with the physical and mental aspects of OSIs.
Using Technology: Telehealth should be explored to provide more timely access to services.

The mental health of RCMP officers is crucial for their well-being and the safety of the communities they serve. By addressing their unique needs and the barriers to treatment, the RCMP can move towards a healthier future.

Are you an RCMP officer seeking assistance? Contact Responders First for support and resources tailored to your needs.

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.