Mental Health Needs and Help-Seeking Behavior of Police Officers

• In Event: Poster Session II

Abstract

Policing is a strenuous career that many individuals embark upon. The profession requires that one be exposed to, and forced to handle, situations that the normal citizen would not. While there are extensive training programs to ensure police officers can handle the physical demands of the profession, less focus is placed on preparing police officers to handle the mental and emotional aspects of the job. This study utilizes survey data of police officers in America to assess the extent to which officers experience mental health issues due to their profession, openness to communicating about these issues, and help-seeking behavior.

Authors

• Madison Hale, Western Carolina University

• Tasha Youstin, Western Carolina University