POLICE SUICIDE PREVENTION TRAINING - THE ESC APPROACH
New, before the trouble begins, placing the responsibility where it belongs--on the officer.
The Emotional Self-Care (ESC) training must begin at the academies and continue, annually.
It cannot be emphasized enough that the primary mechanism for "making this entire program work" is the Peer Support Officer. Peer Support Officers are the "army" of mental health in law enforcement and this is the opportunity to utilize them to their fullest capacity. They must be fully engaged in:
1. Academy Education
2. The selection of Field Training officers
3. In-Service Training
4. Annual training for squads
5. Pre-retirement training.
6. Modeling and encouraging annual mental health checks.
ESC is not a substitute for the traditional "suicide prevention training." It is a supplement, given separately and designed to create a healthy police force that will not need suicide intervention. While teaching the "signs of suicide" are helpful, it must be remembered that police officers are less likely than the general poplation to display them. Why? We have taught them to be masters of their emotions and not show them.
Emotional Self-Care Training is designed to keep officers from ever needing suicide prevention. This is the element no one has ever dreamed of implementing. Instead of waiting until an officer is deteriorating, we need to train officers in the art of resilience and maintaining their emotional well-being in the face of the highly toxic environment in which they work. One of the tools they use to accomplis this is the "annual mental health check."
Suicide prevention, on the other hand, is designed to prevent an actual suicide, in the manner for which it has been designed and traditionally performed. It looks for and attempts to spot the officer "in trouble" and provide the resources and assistance to keep the problems from growing worse.
EMOTIONAL SELF CARE TRAINING - A SAMPLE
1.BLOCK ONE – UNDERSTANDING REAL MENTAL HEALTH IN LAW ENFORCEMENT
GOAL:Not only to prevent suicide, but keep officers from becoming suicidal (or in crisis)
The myths behind mental illness and suicide
The need for accuracy and truth in today’s training programs
It’s not “all about us” any more.
The “Crisis of Denial” in the ranks of law enforcement
2.BLOCK TWO -- STRESS AND TRAUMA
The difference between “stress” and “trauma”
Critical and Cumulative Trauma
The impact of “dirty little secrets” in law enforcement
Maladaptive coping techniques
3.BLOCK THREE -- THE LIFELONG DEVELOPMENT OF RESILIENCE
The multiple / adaptable definitions of “Resilience”
Learning your strengths
Commitment to finding meaningful purpose in life
A belief in one’s ability to affect the outcome
A belief one can learn and grow as a result
Acceptance (particularly of what one does not like)
Self-reliance (standing apart from “the pack”)
Spirituality (which need not be religious)
NOT A CLASSROOM EXERCISE--should be done with a therapist.
4.BLOCK FOUR – ANNUAL MENTAL HEALTH CHECKS
Voluntary, confidential, the department not to know
To be done even (ESPECIALLY) if nothing is "wrong"
Officer may use EAP or outside therapist through own co-pay.
No requirement for reporting
The value to the individual officer (health/ wellness/ other comparisons)
Trauma preparation, stress relief, personal development
Development of individual resiliency (being prepared for trouble BEFORE it happens!).
Why the checks should be at least annually
5.BLOCK FIVE – PEER SUPPORT ROLE
Peer Support Officers in promoting ESC at the academy and annual ESC squad level training.
Promotion of Drug and Alcohol programs (Private, AA, NarcAnon, law enforcement if available)
Promotion of family therapy, other 12-step programs (CODA, etc)
Modeling and promoting annual mental health checks at all ranks.
It's the critical role of the Peer Support Officer to show that emotional well-being goes full circle--that it is not only about problems when they happen and suicide, but also about maintaining good mental health and continually developing resiliency and tools with which to deal with stresses and trauma BEFORE they happen.
The administrative/economic advantages of a good emotional health program.
“Suicide Prevention” programs are still necessary – they are the “other half of the formula."
It’s not “just” about suicide.
Defusing the fear of officers having total confidentiality.
The absolute need for management support and direct involvement
All services and materials provided by Badge of Life are free. We do not charge speaker fees. As retired officers and clinicians, our payment is working to save the lives of officers on the streets. Your donations, however, help us greatly in accomplishing that mission.
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