As leaders in the field of public safety, we understand the importance of “walking the walk.” We’ve experienced the challenges that our first responders face daily – from chasing criminals and performing life-saving interventions to rushing into burning buildings. Serving our communities alongside our dedicated colleagues on the front lines is an honor, but it also entails acknowledging and advocating for the often-overlooked mental health struggles they encounter.
However, we must ask ourselves whether we are equally committed to addressing these unseen challenges, the mental health issues that first responders grapple with. Do public safety leaders truly “walk the walk” when it comes to mental health?
In comparison to the general population, first responders are more susceptible to depression, post-traumatic stress, burnout, anxiety, substance abuse, and more. These mental health issues often lead to secondary health risks such as cardiovascular disease and sleep disorders. Tragically, first responders are also at a heightened risk of suicide, a stark reality brought to the forefront during Suicide Prevention Awareness month in September.
Furthermore, morale, recruitment, and retention issues frequently plaguing public safety departments often have their roots in how these departments handle mental health concerns. As leaders, we wield significant influence over the well-being and mental health of our first responders through our actions. Our subordinates closely observe our conduct to assess whether our deeds align with our words. Therefore, as leaders, we have a dual role in modeling and mentoring the well-being behaviors we hope to establish as the norm for the next generation.
A recent white paper released by the FirstNet Health and Wellness Coalition outlines five crucial recommendations for addressing the mental health crisis within public safety. The foremost recommendation is to actively involve leaders in these efforts. Comprising members from over two dozen national organizations representing various public safety disciplines and ranks, including numerous chiefs’ associations, our coalition conducted an extensive analysis of data, literature, and first responder surveys. The findings underscored that first responders recognize the necessity of addressing their mental health and desire wholehearted commitment from their superiors.
Respondents to our survey stressed the importance of greater engagement from mid-level managers and commanders. One respondent aptly remarked, “Leadership needs to be involved…at the same level as other staff and provide funding and participation that shows their real support.” It’s imperative that leaders go beyond verbal endorsement and lead by example in embracing positive mental health and wellness practices, a principle supported by numerous studies and literature.
Engaging leadership constitutes the initial recommendation because it serves as the linchpin for all subsequent actions.
For instance, integrating wellness into training and education programs, as advocated by the Coalition, necessitates leadership endorsement, active participation, and advocacy. Many survey respondents expressed enthusiasm for attaching awards and incentives to health and wellness engagement. These initiatives should commence early in one’s career, extend throughout their service, and persist into retirement.
Another critical recommendation from the Coalition is the imperative of more effective communication about mental health. Research indicates that rank-and-file first responders are more likely to engage in conversations about trauma and adversity when their leaders actively participate. Public safety leaders must also be attentive listeners to their personnel. First responders have identified stress management, physical fitness, life coaching, resilience training, and anxiety management as the most impactful programs. Barriers include constraints on time, challenges in work-life balance, the financial cost of activities, and a lack of awareness about available resources.
Organizations that wholeheartedly collaborate on promoting well-being and vocally emphasize its importance can eradicate stigma, foster a sense of community and resilience, and address recruitment, retention, and morale challenges.
On World Suicide Prevention Day, observed on September 10, we had an opportunity to emphasize the significance of first responder well-being and introduce related tools, resources, and techniques. Mental health and wellness initiatives should be seen as opportunities for every member of a department, from the highest-ranking officials to the newest recruits. We urge our fellow public safety leaders – chiefs, agency heads, medical professionals, and others – to think creatively, pursue wellness initiatives, and set an example by truly “walking the walk.”
