Dealing with Departmental Stress & Media

Time: 1 hour

What we hope to discuss: Stresses encountered and some coping mechanisms for those stresses

Structure of Class: Information and Group Discussion

The BridgeFebruary 8, 2020

Who Are We?• United States Probation Officer/Federal Law

Enforcement Trainer - 24 years

• Psychiatric Counselor

• Crisis Intervention Trainer/LE Chaplain

• Police Officer & Law Enforcement Administrator-25 years

• Critical Incident Stress Management Team Leader

• Hostage Negotiator

Rich Elias

Greg Bodker

Who Are You?

Brief Introductions

• Where are you from?

• Your profession & experience?

• What is important to you?

• Why are you here this weekend?

Categories of Stress• Internal

• External

• Cumulative

• Critical Incident

• Family Stress

• Personal Issues

Internal Stressors

• Paperwork• Shiftwork• Agency Politics• Suspension/Demotion• Inconsistent Policies• Poor Communication• Inadequate Training• Bad Coworkers• Poor Leadership

External Stressors

• Relationship b/w agency and community

• Mainstream Media/Popular Culture

• Impacts Officer Safety

• American people support first responders

Cumulative

• Unchecked stress over time

• Stressful work environments

• Veterans• Slowly erodes coping

mechanisms• Accumulation of:

– Heavy workload– Poor communications– Multiple frustrations– Powerless situations– Inability to rest or relax

3 Phases of Cumulative Stress

Stress Arousal Phase

Anxiety

Unable to concentrate

Feeling overwhelmed

Physical symptoms

Energy Conservation Phase

Procrastination

Tardiness/absenteeism

Increased caffeine/tobacco consumption

Withdrawal/avoidance

“Just trying to survive moment by moment, day by day”

Exhaustion Phase

Helpless/hopeless

Fully developed depression

Considers changing job and living situation

Desire to withdraw

Contemplates self-destructive actions

Substance abuse

Critical Incident

• Significant event that overwhelms normal coping

• What kinds of situations may increase a first responder’s risk for developing a stress disorder?

Family Stress• Influenced by job

stress

• Marital problems

• Children

• Sick family members

Personal Issues• Legal Problems

• Financial Problems

• Getting Married

• Divorce

• Death of Loved One

• Chronic Illness/Injury

• Emotional Problems (depression, anxiety, anger, guilt, etc.)

Media and Stress

Media and First Responders

• Dangerous (Physically/Emotionally)

• Mainstream media/popular culture

• American people support First Responders

Swatting Bees

• Too many things?

• Too many stings?

• Are you protecting yourself?

Protective Factors

• How do you stay healthy?

Pillars of Fitness

Personal Responsibility

Questions?