24/7 Mental Health Support for Law Enforcement Officers

 

It is well known that law enforcement is considered a stressful occupation and many officers are exposed to trauma, violence, and death during their careers. Those stressors can profoundly impact officer health and well-being. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness:

Copline is a national non-profit organization staffed entirely by retired police officers that provides confidential mental health support to law enforcement officers, including college and university police, and their families for free. Officers struggling with trauma, depression, or other forms of stress may call 1-800-267-5463 at any time, as the hotline is operational 24/7. "Cops are far more likely to speak to other officers who they believe have a basis for understanding the realities of a career in law enforcement," said Jay Nagdimon, a police psychologist for the Los Angeles Police Department. Retired law enforcement officers are trained in active listening and bring the knowledge and understanding of the many psychosocial stressors that officers go through both on and off the job.

 

Copline maintains strict confidentiality and provides crisis intervention support and referrals to mental health services as needed. International Association of Chiefs of Police former President Zakhary Yost said, "Copline could open the door for an opportunity for someone to get the professional help they need." Copline's informational flyer (PDF) is available to download and print for your department.

February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month

 

February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month (TDVAM), a national effort to raise awareness about abuse in teen and 20-something relationships and promote programs that prevent it. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) define teen dating violence (TDV) as "physical, sexual, psychological, or emotional violence within a dating relationship, including stalking." TDV can occur between an individual and a current or former partner, and can be perpetrated both in-person and in electronic forms. Due to varying definitions of and methods for measuring violence, estimates of TDV prevalence can vary. The CDC reports (PDF) that 1 in 10 high school students have experienced physical violence from a dating partner in the past year. Across studies, 15-40% of youth report perpetrating some form of violence towards a dating partner. Perpetrating dating violence in adolescence increases the risk of perpetrating violence toward a partner in adulthood. TDV is a public health problem that requires a comprehensive community approach to prevention.

 

Multiple organizations recognize TDVAM and provide resources such as training, information and statistics, and ways to take action and help spread awareness and prevent dating violence. Some of these organizations, and specific resources, include:

For more information on TDV, its consequences, and its prevention, visit the CDC's TDV web page.