Page 36 - January 2021

Mental Health and Wellness Support
A resource guide for Chicago Lodge 7 members
A message from EAP
Professional Counseling Division Call for help Peer Support Team
Widely trained clinicians and addiction who have taken a 40-hour training counselors available 24/7/365
CPD Employee Assistance Program
312-743-0378
312-743-0378 The peer support team includes 300 officers
EAP assesses state of officers’ mental health for 2021
Each month, the Professional Counseling Division of the Department’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provides a message to promote better mental health for Chicago Police Officers. This month, Dr. Robert Sobo, director of the Professional Counseling Division, forecasts the state of officers’ collective mental health for 2021.
Looking at the state of the mental health union going into 2021, it’s important to recognize that the union is strong because Chicago Police Officers are strong. This is the time to focus on the resiliency, the strength, the dedication and the courage that the men and women of the Department have demonstrated against all of the difficulties they faced unique to 2020.
Article II, Section 3 of the U.S. Constitution says that the president of the United States “shall from time to time give to the Congress information of the state of the union.” In keep-
ing with the state of the union tradition that typ- ically comes with a new year, here is the state of mental health for Chicago Police Officers, featuring current wellness issues they’re facing and plans for the year ahead:
There are good signs going into 2021. The past year was tu- multuous for the Department, and yet officers still showed up and went to work. They were diligent in their duties.
When they experienced stress, anxiety, depression and other challenges on the job threatening their mental health and well- ness, they used the Department’s EAP of their own accord to take care of themselves. The attention paid to officer wellness is a success story of 2020 that deserves to be recognized.
More and more officers are taking advantage of the Profes- sional Counseling Division” services across the districts. There are 11 clinicians currently employed with full caseloads, and the number of officers who are taking charge of their mental well- being indicates that the Department could benefit from hiring more clinicians.
Mental health is the focus. When working 20 straight days of 12-hour shifts, it can take a huge toll on both the body and the mind. Chicago Police Officers are physically and mentally exhausted with job, family and life responsibilities, and they’re utilizing the right resources to relieve themselves of stress.
On a good day, officers typically don’t sleep well. Add in the stressors of the past year, and now there’s poor nutrition and a lack of exercise to add to the toll. Alcohol sales are up more than 30 percent in the U.S., presumably in part to cope with the negative emotions relating to COVID-19. If the general popula- tion is at risk of substance abuse, it’s likely that officers are even more exposed to it.
But there is hope for the state of mental health. There is an ex- ponential number of officers who are looking out for each other,
which came as a direct result of the uproar that was 2020. When one sees another one not doing well, they’re not just standing by and watching. They’re getting fellow officers the resources that they need to assist their mental wellbeing.
Better times are ahead. The reality is that 2021 is not going to immediately get better, but whatever difficulties officers are currently experiencing are temporary. They’re slowly going to change, and officers need to be prepared to adapt as well.
Men and women still on the job are going to have to make up for some of the gap with less coverage, but don’t fear. If the past year has taught us anything, it’s that there’s hope for the state of the union as long as officers remain a cohesive team for emo- tional support, for mental support and for safety.
The stronger the sense of “togetherness” that Chicago Police Officers feel, the better it is for everybody on all fronts, but espe- cially mentally. Everyone has an important role in the Depart- ment, and making connections means officers are more likely to respond more quickly and efficiently when their brothers or sisters are calling for help. Group morale tends to be a useful indicator of mental health.
As for the year ahead, one of the objectives for the Profes- sional Counseling Division is to continue to be familiar faces in the districts. When an officer decides to take control of his or her mental health, they are realizing more and more that EAP is ready to assist them. The major goal is to continue delivering programs that focus on wellness as a daily practice, not just a reaction in a state of crisis.
The past year has shown that highlighting wellness daily sig- nificantly improved officers’ mental state, which will be crucial going forward with the pandemic into the new year.
Officers have made great strides in becoming more attuned to taking care of their families’ mental health and wellness along with their own, which is key for the changes that will be coming in 2021. Plan to continue being there for yourself, your families and your brothers and sisters in the Department. When it seems like all is lost, they’re the ones who stuck by you against all the difficulties of 2020.
The state of the mental health union is forecasting a positive outlook. I leave you with this: Together we stand. Chicago Police Officers must unite and support each other mentally, emotion- ally and physically to move forward to a better future.
36 CHICAGO LODGE 7 ■ JANUARUY 2021