Date

2-23-2023

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Department

Human Services

Abstract

The American Psychiatric Association defines post-traumatic stress disorder as a psychiatric disorder that may occur in people who have experienced or witnessed a traumatic event such as a natural disaster, a serious accident, a terrorist act, war/combat, or rape or who have been threatened with death, sexual violence, or serious injury (Torres, 2020). Why are law enforcement officers retiring at an alarming rate due to post-traumatic stress disorder? “Law enforcement professionals anticipate and accept the unique dangers and pressures of their chosen profession. However, people under stress find it harder than people not experiencing stress to connect with others and regulate their own emotions” (Department of Justice, 2021, para. 4). With the increase of post-traumatic stress disorder retirements, teaching resiliency and implementing mental health support at an organization is crucial in preventing these kinds of retirements. “The goal of peer support is to provide all public safety employees in an agency the opportunity to receive emotional and tangible support through times of personal or professional crisis and to help anticipate and address potential difficulties” (International Association of Chiefs of Police, 2016). In order for officers to want to utilize the services of a peer support program-the organization members and the team members need to be aware of the ethical issues that can arise through receiving help from the program.

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