Mental Health Support for Law Enforcement Officers

Regarding law enforcement, mental health is just as important as physical strength.

Unfortunately, nine out of ten police officers say that stigma prevents them from seeking mental health support. Some of this stigma is the result of what officers often witness in the course of their daily jobs.

Police officers are at higher risk for mental health issues. A study published in 2024 found that one in seven law enforcement officers worldwide had post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or depression, and another one in ten had another mental health issue. Compared to the general public, law enforcement officers have twice the prevalence of PTSD and depression.

Law enforcement workers are exposed to stressful situations and events regularly. These circumstances and events may involve child abuse, car crashes, domestic violence, and homicides. Because of this exposure, Law enforcement work is associated with higher stress levels, such as physical, psychosocial, and anticipatory stress.

All types of stress can cause mental health issues. Poor mental health can lower the quality of life among law enforcement officers and can have real-life consequences. Mental health issues can cause job loss, for example, marital problems and sleep disturbances. Support for mental health issues can lessen these consequences, improve the quality of life for police officers, and even improve their performance on the job.

Where Can Law Enforcement Officers Get Support for Mental Health?

Police officers are often the first line of defense when it comes to mental health emergencies, but they are frequently the last to get help. In many cases, stigma prevents officers from getting the help they need. In other situations, though, law enforcement safety officers do not know where to turn.

Fortunately, law enforcement officers can get the mental health assistance they need to perform their jobs and enjoy a higher quality of life.

Where Can Law Enforcement Officers Get Mental Health Support?

Law enforcement officers can get help through their precinct, local community organizations, or through their doctors. Many police officers may feel more comfortable getting help online or through a hotline.

Law Enforcement Mental Health Support Groups

The Law Enforcement Agency and Officer Resilience Training Program

The International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) offers The Law Enforcement Agency and Officer Resilience Training Program. This one-day in-person training program equips officers with resilience skills.

Compline

Copline is a telephone hotline available to law enforcement officers and their loved ones. Staffed by trained, compassionate retired police officers 24/7, Copline provides a listening ear, confidentiality, a strong shoulder, and available resources. It is equipped to help law enforcement officers deal with emotionally charged issues such as depression, alcoholism, divorce, and more.

Phone: 1-800-267-5463

Blue H.E.L.P.

Based in Auburn, MA, but available to all, Blue H.E.L.P. offers comfort and honor to families who have lost an officer to suicide. They believe that every officer deserves respect, no matter how they died.

Email: contact@bluehelp.org

Law Enforcement Family Support Network

Law Enforcement Family Support Network supports police officers and their families by providing training and resources to strengthen interpersonal support and increase resiliency.

The Hundred Club

The Hundred Club is a non-profit that helps ease the financial burden of surviving spouses and children of fallen police officers and firefighters.

Phone: 860-633-8357

Badge of Life

Badge of Life is a group of active and retired law enforcement officers, surviving family members of suicide, and medical professionals to reduce suicide among the men and women in blue.

Providing law enforcement officers with the support they need can save lives. It is also essential to provide police officers with personal protective gear, such as riot suits, that offer full mobility in crowd control situations and other dangerous conditions.