• Home
  • About
    • Leadership
    • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Issues
    • Defunding Police
    • Qualified Immunity
    • Restore Respect
  • Blog
  • Media Room
  • Contact
    • Do Not Contact
  • Contribute
National Police Support FundNational Police Support Fund
National Police Support FundNational Police Support Fund
  • Home
  • About
    • Leadership
    • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Issues
    • Defunding Police
    • Qualified Immunity
    • Restore Respect
  • Blog
  • Media Room
  • Contact
    • Do Not Contact
  • Contribute

Why High Rates of PTSD in Police Officers?

Police Officers Experience High Rates of PTSD - Featured Image - National Police Support Fund

Why High Rates of PTSD in Police Officers?

August 14, 2019 Issues Facing Police, News

Police officers face dangers every day on the job that few of us will encounter in our lifetimes. Whether duty calls for officers to pursue suspected criminals at high rates of speed, being involved in a shootout, or if they are simply the first to arrive at the scene of a horrific crime, police officers see some of the worst scenes in our society on a daily basis. 

PTSD in Police Officers: Repeated Exposure to Trauma

Repeated exposure to such situations contribute to one of the most under-covered issues when it comes to law enforcement. That issue is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. New studies have shown that police officers suffer symptoms indicative of PTSD at a similar rate as veterans of the military. Between seven and 19 percent of police officers exhibit symptoms of PTSD, compared to 3.5% of the general public.

By and large, police officers suffer from cumulative PTSD. As opposed to the traditional definition of post traumatic stress disorder, cumulative PTSD is caused by prolonged and repeated exposure to trauma and extreme stress rather than one particular incident, such as a shooting. The effects, however, are no less devastating for the officers affected. 

PTSD contributes to other mental health issues

Police Officers Experience High Rates of PTSD Quote Image

Post traumatic stress disorder has devastating effects. For officers, post traumatic stress disorder has been linked to higher rates of depression and suicide when compared to the general public. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), 1 in 4 police officers have had thoughts of suicide at least one in their lives and unfortunately, some of those brave officers have acted on those thoughts. Indeed, more police officers committ suicide than are killed in the line of duty in the United States, according to NAMI.

Unfortunately, many police officers do not seek treatment for PTSD and related mental health issues in an effort not to be seen as weak in the eyes of their colleagues. Breaking the stigma of mental health disorders is critical, especially when it comes to public servants like those serving law enforcement. Police risk their lives every day to serve and protect their communities and they should not have to suffer from PTSD or depression in silence. It is up to us as citizens to continue to conversation around mental health so brave public servants like police officers no longer suffer the stigma surrounding mental health disorders caused by their time on the job.

Join National Police Support Fund

RECENT NEWS

  • Disrespect for Police Continues in Chicago
  • December 2020 News Roundup
  • A Common-Sense Approach to Police Reform
  • What You Need to Know About Cell Phone Evidence
  • National Police Support Fund Welcomes Retired Police Officer As Newest Board Member
  • California Proposition 25 Defeated, Thanks in Part to Local Efforts Funded by National Police Support Fund

ARCHIVES

  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • March 2017

CATEGORIES

  • 2018 Elections
  • Candidates & Elections
  • Defunding
  • From Leadership
  • Issues Facing Police
  • Media
  • National Police Week
  • News
  • News Roundup
  • Op-Eds
  • Press Release
  • Restore Respect
  • Updates

Contact Us

National Police Support Fund, Inc.

Office/Mailing Address:
2800 Eisenhower Drive Suite 220
Alexandria, VA 22314

Donation Processing Center:
PO Box 26248
Alexandria, VA 22313-2648

Phone: (571) 364-6520
Email: info@nationalpolicesupportfund.com

NAVIGATION

  • Home
  • About
    • Leadership
    • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Issues
    • Defunding Police
    • Qualified Immunity
    • Restore Respect
  • Blog
  • Media Room
  • Contact
    • Do Not Contact
  • Contribute

Sign Up for News Updates

Contributions to the National Police Support Fund are not tax deductible. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. Paid for by National Police Support Fund, Inc. | Privacy & Refund Policy

Prev Next