Resource Detail

Mental Fitness and Posttraumatic Growth: Using Stress and Traumatic Events to Develop Officers' Resilience and Growth

This publication discusses the perils of police work and the stress they can create for officers. The author discusses anxiety, substance abuse, suicidality, professional burnout, memory problems, post-traumatic stress disorder, heart disease, gastrointestinal issues, and generalized pain symptoms. First responders who are injured or unable to return to work for a period of time can experience significant emotional pain and feelings of rejection because they are away from their work teams. The author also discusses vicarious trauma, stress resilience, post-traumatic growth, and recommendations for strengths-based programs.

Type: Publication

Length: 15 pages

Publication Date: 2018

Agencies: International Association of Chiefs of Police

Authors: Joyce Mikal-Flynn; Jennifer Gonzales-Shushereba; Bret Sackett

Topics: Crisis Intervention, Mental Health