Visits with family, long-standing traditions and time away from work come to the minds of most when they think about the holiday season. While we expect this time of year to bring joy, it can also create unwanted stressors—be it financial burdens, familial tensions or something in between. For those working in public safety, these can compound with the everyday difficulties they face on the job. We’ll discuss the mental health challenges faced by public safety personnel during the holidays and the technologies that are available to enhance a comprehensive agency wellness program.
Navigating Stress and Stigma in Public Safety
Public safety personnel must balance the emotional pressures they experience day to day in addition to typical holiday stress. Even though most people get time off for the festivities, the need for public safety does not take a vacation. According to one Texpers report, agencies see an increase in car accidents, house fires and alcohol-related incidents during the holidays. This discrepancy between the burdens faced at work and what is supposed to be a joyful time of seasonal traditions can weigh heavily on personnel. Furthermore, trying to navigate these conflicting feelings alone can cause feelings of guilt and helplessness.
Even with the stressors of work and the holiday season, public safety professionals continue to face a heavy stigma regarding mental health. Both self-stigma and stigma from peers can lead personnel to believe that seeking help equates to weakness or inadequacy. There is also a fear that using mental health resources can come with negative repercussions in both one’s career and personal life. Due to this, personnel may feel discouraged from reaching out for help, which can cause greater problems down the line.
Technology as a Supportive Tool
In public safety, the most important part of an organization is its people, a sentiment that only grows stronger during the holidays. It is vital that agencies proactively work to create a positive environment when it comes to the topic of mental health. An open and supportive dialogue around the topic of wellness helps reduce stigma and encourages the use of resources by those who need them.
Agency leadership must work proactively to foster this positive environment, and the right solutions can help them achieve this. With support from technology, leaders can identify potential issues before they grow into larger problems. For example, an agency can take note if a law enforcement officer responds to a high number of distressing emergency calls within a short period. By preemptively detecting potential issues, the agency can check in with that officer and ensure they have the resources and support they need.
Within the creation of an agency-wide wellness program, it is important to provide a space for open dialogue among peers. This gives public safety personnel a chance to share challenges they may have experienced at work rather than process matters on their own. Allocating space for conversations about wellness helps agencies fight against the persistent mental health stigma. Technology can also provide public safety personnel with access to mental health resources. Easy-to-access, relevant and confidential materials help personnel process difficult situations and provide steps to mentally reset after challenging moments.
Despite how comprehensive mental health solutions can be, agency leaders have the responsibility to advocate for their use. Top-down encouragement empowers public safety professionals to fully benefit from the support provided to them. The use of technology is not enough, agency leadership must constantly work to foster a culture that prioritizes the mental health of its people. Technology is only a tool; the right people are necessary for its success.
Versaterm solutions proactively support agency wellness programs by identifying personnel who may be struggling and connecting them to the right sources. For example, Mindbase by Versaterm offers insights into staff who may have experienced traumatic incidents and empowers personnel to utilize confidential, relevant wellness resources.
People are the Priority
The cheerful atmosphere that comes with the holidays can starkly contrast the day-to-day realities faced by public safety personnel, and agencies need to look out for those who may need extra support during this time. People are the most important part of any public safety organization, therefore it’s crucial that agencies establish a wellness program that can proactively and holistically serve their workforce. While the wellness of personnel is always important, this time of year can serve as a reminder to evaluate what your agency is doing for its people. Those in public safety spend their time focused on the well-being of others—they deserve to be backed by an agency that focuses on the well-being of its staff.
If you missed our December 12th webinar on this topic, you can access the recording here.