dealing with departmental stress & media · dealing with departmental stress & media time:...
TRANSCRIPT
Dealing with Departmental Stress & Media
Time: 1 hour
What we hope to discuss: Stresses encountered and some coping mechanisms for those stresses
Structure of Class: Information and Group Discussion
The BridgeFebruary 8, 2020
Who Are We?• United States Probation Officer/Federal Law
Enforcement Trainer - 24 years
• Psychiatric Counselor
• Crisis Intervention Trainer/LE Chaplain
• Police Officer & Law Enforcement Administrator-25 years
• Critical Incident Stress Management Team Leader
• Hostage Negotiator
Rich Elias
Greg Bodker
Who Are You?
Brief Introductions
• Where are you from?
• Your profession & experience?
• What is important to you?
• Why are you here this weekend?
Categories of Stress• Internal
• External
• Cumulative
• Critical Incident
• Family Stress
• Personal Issues
Internal Stressors
• Paperwork• Shiftwork• Agency Politics• Suspension/Demotion• Inconsistent Policies• Poor Communication• Inadequate Training• Bad Coworkers• Poor Leadership
External Stressors
• Relationship b/w agency and community
• Mainstream Media/Popular Culture
• Impacts Officer Safety
• American people support first responders
Cumulative
• Unchecked stress over time
• Stressful work environments
• Veterans• Slowly erodes coping
mechanisms• Accumulation of:
– Heavy workload– Poor communications– Multiple frustrations– Powerless situations– Inability to rest or relax
3 Phases of Cumulative Stress
Stress Arousal Phase
Anxiety
Unable to concentrate
Feeling overwhelmed
Physical symptoms
Energy Conservation Phase
Procrastination
Tardiness/absenteeism
Increased caffeine/tobacco consumption
Withdrawal/avoidance
“Just trying to survive moment by moment, day by day”
Exhaustion Phase
Helpless/hopeless
Fully developed depression
Considers changing job and living situation
Desire to withdraw
Contemplates self-destructive actions
Substance abuse
Critical Incident
• Significant event that overwhelms normal coping
• What kinds of situations may increase a first responder’s risk for developing a stress disorder?
Family Stress• Influenced by job
stress
• Marital problems
• Children
• Sick family members
Personal Issues• Legal Problems
• Financial Problems
• Getting Married
• Divorce
• Death of Loved One
• Chronic Illness/Injury
• Emotional Problems (depression, anxiety, anger, guilt, etc.)
Media and Stress
Media and First Responders
• Dangerous (Physically/Emotionally)
• Mainstream media/popular culture
• American people support First Responders
Swatting Bees
• Too many things?
• Too many stings?
• Are you protecting yourself?
Protective Factors
• How do you stay healthy?
Pillars of Fitness
Personal Responsibility
Questions?