Page 44 - PCPA Summer 2024 Bulletin Magazine

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PA CHIEFS OF POLICE ASSOCIATION
www.lexipol.com | 844-312-9500
info@lexipol.com
TOP 5 THINGS TO LOOK FOR IN A PUBLIC SAFETY WELLNESS APP
•
 Peer support (and CISD ) team: A list of trained people
within the department someone can talk to about their
worries and challenges.
•
 Family support resources: First responder families are
indirectly impacted by the same on-the-job stressors
experienced by their loved ones in public safety, and
benefit from specialized assistance.
•
 Agency chaplains: Sometimes just a listening ear,
often offering spiritual guidance for those who need it.
•
 Therapists: Licensed mental health professionals pre-
approved by the department to provide counselling
and therapy. The app should provide details on vetted
therapists’ experience and specialties.
3. Assessments: Sometimes, first responders just
need answers to their questions. “Am I suffering from
depression?” “Am I dealing appropriately with my stress?”
“Do I need to seek help for the emotions I’m experiencing
right now?” Automated mental assessments, created by
professionals, can help answer these questions accurately
and anonymously, providing timely analysis of a user’s
current mental and physical condition. Some important
assessment areas include:
•
Anger
•
Depression
•
PTSD
•
Sleep
•
Social isolation
•
Stress
•
Substance abuse
•
Nutrition
4. Supplementary Information: Beyond helping to
assess a problem, wellness apps can provide in-depth
information — both explanatory and “how to” — on
important topics that impact first responders’ physical and
mental health, their families and careers. Some important
topics to look for include:
•
Critical incidents/CISD
•
Depression
•
Substance abuse
•
Stress management
•
Sleep hygiene
•
Compassion fatigue
•
Hypervigilance
•
Family support
•
Financial wellness
•
Leadership
•
Marriage success
•
Mindfulness
•
Career advice
•
Suicide prevention
5. Direct Communication: The mobile, always-available
nature of a mobile app makes it the perfect conduit
for important wellness-related communications from
departments to employees. Because of this, information
about new programs and program offerings can be
relayed to individual users in a way that ensures it will be
seen quickly.
Choose Wisely
The demanding and often traumatic nature of public
safety work highlights the critical need for comprehensive
wellness support for first responders. Wellness apps help
address the unique challenges faced by those in these
professions, and represent a crucial investment in the
long-term health and effectiveness of frontline workers.
Choosing the right wellness app can be critical to both the
success of an agency’s wellness program and the mental
and physical health of its employees.
Ultimately, investing in the right wellness app is not just
about improving individual well-being and prolonging
careers; it also signals an agency's commitment to
safeguarding the health and effectiveness of its first
responder personnel.