Fear of loss and the unknown is one of the greatest hindrances to police officers seeking mental health care when they find themselves in the grip of depression, severe anxiety, another mental health crisis. Emotional and psychological disturbances already crush a person's sense of control and autonomy so the possibility of losing personal and professional face at work, the sense of self and purpose that comes from a career in policing, and possibly even their jobs stand in the way of a lot of cops feeling free to say, “I need help.” For others, not knowing what to expect on top of an already disorienting experience, or mistaken beliefs about the nature of counseling and psychiatry, is enough to keep them in a known darkness rather than venture toward some mysterious light. The fear and uncertainly typical of depression and anxiety is frustratingly self-sustaining.
The truth is that seeking help for a mental illness can have significant personal and professional consequences. Every agency has its own unique culture, every state its own mental health code, and, depending on the agency and where it is located, an officer seeking or requiring treatment may face official or unofficial sanctions if the treatment or illness become known. When depression is so severe it requires locked psychiatric hospitalization for the patient's own safety, it is very likely the right to possess or carry a firearm will probably be revoked at least temporarily.
But locked hospitalization is a worst case treatment scenario, far from the normal experience for most patients and one that, with early and honest intervention, can usually be avoided. Far less restrictive treatment options exist and are the true norm for most patients, HIPPA and state mental health codes are highly protective of patient confidentiality and rights, and police administrators and the culture of policing are rapidly changing to recognize the importance and urgency of cops taking proper care of themselves mentally. One of the byproducts of Millennials now being so heavily represented in the ranks is that it is a more enlightened generation when it comes to acceptance of counseling and treatment.
And if your depression were to be so great and life-threatening that more restrictive options were necessary, what is better? A temporary if inconvenient interruption of normal life, or death?
Our last article (Celebs, Suicides, and Warnings to the Rest of Us) directly addressed the dramatic increase in suicides seen since 1999, the expected bump in the number of attempted and completed suicides following high profiles cases of celebrities taking their own lives, and the fact law enforcement officers are not immune to the emotional pain and impulses that lead one to suicide. We finished by providing some of the telltale indicators we may see within ourselves or those close to us that should serve as a warning something is amiss and needs our attention. But recognizing the symptoms is only half the battle, especially when they might impose an additional layer of fear. Being confident we can seek help without losing our livelihood is essential.
The thing about depression is that it is easily diagnosed and highly treatable; a good therapist or psychiatrist can quickly screen for depression or anxiety, assess for suicidality, and create a treatment plan or make appropriate referrals to not just alleviate symptoms but actually restore good mental health. Patient confidentiality laws and the codes of ethics followed by licensed mental health practitioners keep diagnoses and treatment private. Openness and honest about your feelings are key, as are knowing when to seek help and entering treatment with a sense of trust, curiosity, and motivation to get well.
The problem when obvious issues are ignored, or when someone knows they are depressed or their anxiety has gotten out of control but believes it will pass or that they can handle severe depression on their own, is the risk of tipping into crisis. Crisis management of a depressive disorder is obviously not the preferred method of treatment but one people often find themselves forced into. By the time depression has become a crisis, personal functioning is often notably diminished, the sufferer is less likely to make good decisions, and the number of viable treatment options are reduced. What they hoped would be treated as a private, personal issue is likely far more public than anyone realizes or is comfortable with, and the likelihood of long-term consequences increases. Once in crisis mode, depression is a medical emergency and needs to be treated as such, which may mean placement and treatment in a highly restrictive – and perhaps even locked – setting.
Early intervention by a mental health professional or treatment team is always the preferred option, allowing for the patient to be more involved in and better informed about treatment decisions, to retain as much personal control as possible, to maintain normalcy at work, and to choose who gets to know what is going on and when they get to know it. The earlier the intervention the greater likelihood of successful treatment and recovery. Early intervention better guarantees privacy, as well.
The other thing about depression, anxiety, and other mental disorders is that finding help is easy for most cops. Check the list of providers provided by your insurance for a psychiatrist or licensed counselor, or ask your primary care physician for a referral. A lot of departments have pastors, department chaplains, social workers, or a psychologist on staff or otherwise affiliated, and they will be happy to provide a referral and are also bound by law and ethics to protect your privacy. Calling your Employee Assistance Program for a number of free and confidential sessions is an excellent option. You can also go online to sites such as Psychology Today, click on the “Find a Therapist” link, and punch in your town or Zip Code for a list of providers, the insurance plans they take, areas of expertise or professional interest (which may list “law enforcement” or “first responders” as one of these areas), and a brief biography that will help you determine if you might be a good fit.
The most direct path to help is usually going straight to a professional in the field, all of whom are bound by strict legal and ethical rules of confidentiality as stated in HIPPA laws, codes of ethics for their particular area of practice or training, and state mental health codes. Remember, as long as you are not actively a danger to yourself or anyone else they and their staff CANNOT tell anyone you have come to them for help, advice, guidance, or treatment. They are there to help you get better.
Suicide is reaching historically – and tragically – high rates, and law enforcement has always had statistically higher rates than that of the general public; the thought that the statistical leaps could be mirrored among cops is alarming. Do what you must to protect yourself and, if you find yourself feeling at risk, know that help is out there for you. And please don’t hesitate to ask for help before the crisis.
