In Crisis? 
Behavioral Health Response:
314-469-6644 or 1-800-811-4760
Life Crisis Services:
314-647-HELP
Anywhere in the country, call:
1-800-273-TALK (8255) National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433)
Anywhere in the country, text:
MHA to 741741
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Street Talk Newsletter
The Many Faces of Trauma
by Sgt. Sally Panzer
This is the third and final article in this series. We’ve discussed stigma, where we delved into the barriers to treatment and how to fight stigma. We talked about stress and what it can do to a body. We covered items like the stuff we don’t have control over. And as you all know, officers like to feel in control. Also included were bits and pieces of how to alleviate stress. That’s a lot of information! Well, hold on to your hats, cuz now we are going to talk about TRAUMA!
Stress Matters
by Sgt. Sally Panzer
In part one of this series, Battling Stigma, we covered what stigma is, the barriers it creates, and the myths surrounding it. In this part of the series, we’ll address stress and its role not only in our job, but our health as well. Here are a few important things to remember about stress:
- It can be both good and bad. It’s our body’s natural reaction to changes in demand, whether the demand is physical, emotional or both. It is meant to protect us!
- It’s a part of our daily lives in varying degrees.
- It can affect every aspect of our lives: emotional, physical, spiritual and mental.
- There are ways to manage it. Yes, you heard it here first…we can manage our stress!
Battling Myths of Stigma
by Sgt. Sally Panzer
This is the first in a three-part series talking about the very things both first responders and the military do not like to talk about. Let’s get down to it and start with stigma. Stigma is the very reason we don’t like to talk about what is going on with us, how we are feeling and how we are coping. Putting all pretense aside, we don’t want to feel judged. No one wants to feel judged, especially those of us who are in professions where strength, courage, and bravery are important and valued.
We are in a chosen profession that requires each of us to be an alpha. It is an alpha-dominated profession for males and females. We are dominate in our personality and our energy. We tend to have a command presence naturally. The very thought of asking for help gives the notion to some that we are weak. Not true, of course, but it is the stigma we face.
CMHLs and Police: Like Peanut Butter and Jelly
by Chris Beavin, LCSW
Top 5 things a Community Mental Health Liaison (CMHL) has in common with a law enforcement officer:
5. Both entered their profession to help people.
4. Both often see people on their worst days.
3. Both do a very demanding job.
2. Both have to have a compassionate heart for the people they serve.
1. Both are the first responders when people don’t know what to do or where else to turn.
Ready to Talk About the Green Elephant?
by April Cayce, Rebound 911
Green elephant? Green represents the Mental Health Awareness ribbon, and it’s also the color of the elephant standing in the room of many law enforcement agencies, wearing a banner with the current statistic of police suicides in the United States.
According to Blue H.E.L.P. (Honor, Educate, Lead, Prevent), a nonprofit organization in Massachusetts that tracks police officer suicide rates, we have had 105 suicides in the United States as of this July 7. That is staggering, considering we are only seven months into the year. According to the organization, at least 159 officers took their own lives in 2018. That’s the same number of suicide fatalities it tracked in 2017, and 19 more than in 2016.
By contrast, the estimated number of law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty in 2019 is resting at 65. In 2018, the number was 144, while in 2017 it was 129, and 159 in 2016, according to an annual report released by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund.
Beyond LGBT in the Workplace
by Senior Police Officer Gregory Abbink
When I came out to my department as transgender in 2014, I can only assume I had the same fears and apprehensions that so many, if not most, transgender individuals have when contemplating whether or not to “come out”. I wasn’t worried about whether or not my department would support me, because I knew without a doubt they would. I was more worried about how people would perceive me based upon what THEY knew about what it means to be transgender.
The reality is we may unconsciously respond to an individual with whom we are having an interaction based upon biases or preconceived ideas of what that person is like - stereotypes, if you will. Although it wasn’t always comfortable for me explaining details about my life, I looked at it as an opportunity to help inform and shape peoples’ ideas and experience with someone who is transgender. In fact, my department has encouraged me to develop training titled, “Interacting with Transgender Individuals” which I am honored to teach to each incoming cadet class. The topics covered in this course are:
Talking to PEOPLE
by Timothy D. Conroy, MLSLT, CPS
I must admit to you that I had some difficulty writing this piece. In my daily life, I speak to people from all walks of life, of all colors, races, creeds, and who come from some amazing places both physically and spiritually. I have prayed with Bishops and Imams, discussed Buddhism and Zen with monks and other leaders in those communities, celebrated Sabbat in a pure cotton robe and had the Torah read and explained to me by a Rabbi. Daily, I speak to those wearing suits/outfits that cost more than I make in a month and to those whose worn clothing is all they have in the world. In short, I speak to people.
To be perfectly honest - this is not always easy. Often, I have beliefs about certain groups, and often, certain groups might have beliefs about me and the groups I identify with, and these can make communication more difficult. But there is a magic key that almost always seems to make it work. I will share this with you on one condition: you must pass it on to others who struggle with how to talk to ______ people (fill in the blank with a group you find difficult to interact with). The key is: communication with an open and willing heart.
Remembering the Fallen, While Remembering to Take Care of Yourself
by Sgt. Gary Robertson, St. Louis County Police Department
In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation designating May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day. Celebrating the lives of the brothers and sisters who have made the supreme sacrifice has slowly turned into a week-long event, which is now known as National Police Week. This year Police Week will begin on Sunday, May 12 and end on Saturday, May 18. Some of the events during Police Week are the arrival of the Police Unity Tour cycling event, 31st Annual Candlelight Vigil, the somber playing of the Midnight Piper at the Memorial Wall, and the 38th Annual National Peace Officers Memorial Service which is held on the west front of the United States Capital.
At Your Service: iPad Project - "Like a Clinician in Your Car"
During the 23 years of BHR’s existence, there have been countless examples of officers encountering individuals exhibiting potential signs of a mental health issue. We have found that hospitalization or detainment is not always the best option in many of these situations. Therefore, officers have 24-hour access to BHR’s traditional mobile outreach. Although the model has been successful, it requires the officer to wait with the individual until the clinician arrives.
While BHR’s average arrival time of 45 to 60 minutes is without comparison, there is the need to balance that wait time with the efficient use of the officer’s time. In response to this need, BHR implemented the Virtual Mobile Crisis Intervention (VMCI) project in February 2017.
Minimize the Stress of Holiday Debt
Wouldn’t it be great if the holidays were nothing but “the most wonderful time of the year”? We probably do look forward to some parts of the holiday season…our favorite parts, anyway.
Busier-than-usual schedules, shopping, cooking, and traveling put a lot of extra stress on top of an already demanding work and family life. As a police officer, you’re well aware how shift-work can become even more of a time-management challenge this time of year. Also, the vicarious trauma you experience by witnessing tragedy or dysfunction can sometimes feel intense, perhaps even more so when holiday stress is breathing down your neck.
