Police officers often act as a buffer against the most disastrous potentials in our lives, driving back the dangers and harm of large-scale societies. The imperative work they do is not without its own personal consequences, either. The likelihood of injury or death is high, and daily responsibilities leave a mark on the dedicated officers who keep us safe day and night.
To help return some of the favor, Carlos Mejia and Thomas Griffiths of the Boston Police Department have partnered to offer Blueline Care, assisting officers in distress overcome personal issues without medical treatment.
Police officers around the country work diligently to protect civilian lives; giving back support and healthy resources to those officers is a small way to show our gratitude and appreciation for their hard work.
Of the nearly million officers registered in the country today, some studies suggest that 20-30% suffer from symptoms of PTSD.1 Apart from slowing their professional progress, these symptoms can have a major impact on our officer’s lives, namely:
Depression – Witnessing the lowest criminal acts in our society, police officers often suffer from symptoms of depression. This can mean a loss of desire or appetite on top of frequent feelings of sadness and hopelessness. By working with officers to help them talk through their problems and connect with others who have faced similar or identical issues, we can help alleviate depression for many without medication.
Alcoholism and Drug Abuse – Often, those who suffer from depression turn to alcohol or drugs to help fight back negative symptoms. This can lead to dangerous behavior or new addictions––both of which are detrimental to a person’s health, personal relationships, families and more.
At Blueline Care, we instill solidarity in officers and offer peer support to replace negative habits with positive ones. Through this support, police officers can create relationships that will hold them accountable for their good actions and deter them from bad ones.
Domestic Violence – Often, internal pain from witnessing or being a part of violent situations in their work translates into external violence. And because the home is where officers will spend most of their time outside work, it’s not uncommon for this violence to leak into their families.
Our Blueline Care program diligently works to untangle the internal pain officers face and help them see the brighter, gentler side of life. We encourage talking out feelings and communicating emotional struggles with words instead of violence, giving officers a comfortable place away from work to unwind and express their hardships without judgement.
Supporting Our Officers as They Support Us
We may not be able to protect the lives of officers as they protect ours, or completely repay them for their tremendous efforts in keeping us safe, but with partnerships like what Carlos Mejia and Thomas Griffith have created in Blueline Care, we can encourage our police and help them avoid common negative PTSD symptoms.
