The Louisville Metro Department of Corrections (LMDC) has taken proactive measures to ensure the well-being of its officers with the introduction of a new training course focused on mental health awareness.
While the training does not aim to equip officers with diagnostic abilities for mental health struggles, it does empower them to recognize potential signs indicating a colleague may be facing difficulties.
Simple observations such as a coworker arriving with a disheveled appearance or exhibiting a lack of concern about personal hygiene can serve as subtle indicators. While these signs may not always indicate a crisis, they provide colleagues with a starting point for further inquiry and support.
Tracy Krein, a contractor for the National Institute of Corrections involved in the training, emphasizes the significance of addressing the emotional toll experienced by corrections workers. Krein states, “Corrections workers see things every day that really nobody should see in their lifetime, and they see it on such a routine basis that they turn it into a normal. That emotional toll of seeing that trauma affects them and impacts their own health journey.”
Notably, according to the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, nearly half of the country’s corrections officers report symptoms of PTSD, with a similar proportion (48%) experiencing mild to severe depression.
In a collaborative effort to extend the benefits of this training beyond LMDC, jails from neighboring counties have been invited to participate. Furthermore, the training session is open to all public safety entities in Louisville, including fire and police departments, emphasizing a collective commitment to prioritizing mental health awareness and support within the community.
