Page 46 - June2021

Mental Health and Wellness Support
A resource guide for Chicago Lodge 7 members
Officer Ryan was involved in a fatal shooting. It was justified and, thankfully, there was no negative media attention. He debriefed, he took a couple weeks off, he was placed on light duty for 30 days, then he returned to the streets. He did everything he was supposed to, but nothing felt right.
Officer Ryan was experiencing symptoms that felt like posttraumatic stress: flashbacks, night- mares, panic attacks and intrusive thoughts about his shooting. He was even having doubts about his shooting — did he do the right thing? He was ex-
periencing tremendous guilt over how his actions could have potentially killed his partner. He was not feeling confident: What if next time he overreacts, or underreacts? Officer Ryan was feeling detached, alone and joyless. He was sure he was the only person involved in a critical incident that felt this way. He couldn’t have been more mistaken.
Officers are often all too hesitant to join support groups, typi- cally saying, “Sharing my feelings is so out of my comfort zone.” The fact is, first responder support groups are one of the most effective avenues for healing from a stressful event. Support groups are defined as “meetings of people with similar experi- ences.” Research suggests that the effectiveness of profession- ally facilitated groups has a positive impact on those attending. ( Worrall, H., Schweizer, R., Marks, E., Yuan, L., Lloyd, C. & Ram- jan, R. [2018]).
Law enforcement support groups indeed exist in the Chicago- land area. Officers who attend most often find relief in knowing that the feelings they have are common in other officers with similar experiences. While these emotions are uncomfortable, they are normal for abnormal situations. Many officers will state that if it hadn’t been for their support group, they would have stayed out of work for longer. The positive impact that officers have on other officers is profound, not just in regard to an offi- cer’s mental health, but to the cost efficiency for a department.
Peers supporting peers is one of the most effective remedies. Studies also suggest that peer support has the ability to reduce post-traumatic reactions and improve an officer’s overall men- tal health. (Front. Psychol., 14 July 2020). Officers who have been through critical incidents and utilize support systems such as peer groups and counseling build resiliency skills, become new and improved and often pay it forward. Peer groups help devel- op healthy expressions of emotions that often transfer over to improved communication with their family members, as well as improve communication in the communities they serve.
If you have been considering joining a police group but have been reluctant, remember: Nothing compares to the power of peers. Be safe.
“We rise by lifting others.” — Robert Ingersoll
Dr. Robin Kroll specializes in police and public safety psychology and runs the Brave Police & Public Safety Wellness Center.
DR. ROBIN KROLL
Suffering in silence
BRAVE Police & Public Safety Wellness Center
Individual, group and family therapy for...
• Addiction
• Mood disorders
• Family and work-related
matters
• Critical incidents
• Post-traumatic stress
Fit For Duty assessments for pre-employment and FOID card reinstatement
Yearly wellness check-ins
Road to Resiliency Program Trauma & Addiction Tuesday-Wednesday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
Stress Management Training and First Responder’s Yoga Also included as part of BRAVE Center’s Wellness and Resiliency Program
Help strengthen those who serve
Dr. Robin Kroll, owner and clinical Director of BRAVE Police & Public Safety
Meet Meeko, Therapy Dog & Being Brave Together Wellness Center, is board-certified Employee of the BRAVE Center Police and Public Safety Psychologist.
6323 N. Avondale Avenue, #111B, Chicago, IL 60631 847-778-9322 • drrobinkroll@gmail.com • www.drrobinkroll.com
46 CHICAGO LODGE 7 ■ JUNE 2021