Resources for Public Safety Personnel

Every day, individuals working in public safety positions such as police, probation, correction officers, firefighters, military personnel, and emergency medical technicians put their lives on the line to protect the public in both domestic and foreign areas. Public safety jobs present unique challenges and stressors, which can contribute to alcohol or drug abuse.

According to the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)...

• Approximately 60% of veterans demonstrate alcohol dependence.
• Approximately 25% of law enforcement officers in the U.S. report alcohol dependence as a result of stress on the job.
• Approximately 29% of active duty firefighters have possible or probable problems with alcohol use.

Exposure to highly stressful and traumatic situations is a daily possibility for many in public safety positions. Firefighters and emergency medical technicians frequently respond first to 911 calls, arrive first at an accident scene, and risk their lives by entering directly into high-danger situations. Military officials face physical and mental health challenges that include exposure to violent combat, trauma, injury to themselves, or survivors’ guilt when a fellow soldier is killed. They also must juggle both military and family responsibilities. Police, probation, and correction officers deal with high-stress situations on duty, such as fatal shootings and robberies, which statistically increase their likelihood of alcohol and/or drug abuse.

To learn more, download SAMHSA’s “Disaster Technical Assistance Center Supplemental Research Bulletin: First Responders” (PDF).

Resources for Public Safety Personnel

While Solutions EAP does not sponsor or endorse these websites, helpful information can be found at the links below:

• National Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs)
  This center advances the clinical care and social welfare of U.S. veterans through research, education, and training on PTSD and stress-related disorders.
• Substance Abuse Among Police & Law Enforcement (American Addiction Centers)
  Learn about the prevalence of substance use in the police force, why police officers might use addictive substances, and what to do next.
• Tackling Mental Health Challenges in the Public Safety Sector: Implementing and Evaluating Mental Health Programs (CDC)
  Learn about different approaches to addressing mental health in the public safety sector.
• Mental Health of Public Safety Personnel: Developing a Model of Operational, Organizational, and Personal Factors in Public Safety Organizations (PMC)
  This paper proposes a new model for studying mental health among public safety personnel, with consideration for the combined impacts of operational, organizational, and personal factors.