AOHC Encore 2024-415 Adverse Childhood Experiences and Psychological Distress among Police Officers

415 Adverse Childhood Experiences and Psychological Distress among Police Officers

Video Transcription

Video Summary

The video transcript discusses the Buffalo-Caribbean-Middle-Island Occupational Stress Study, a longitudinal study on police officers' psychological and physiological aspects. The study highlights the relationship between adverse childhood events, mental health issues like PTSD, depression, and alcohol abuse among police officers. It also touches on the importance of mental health check-ins and support programs for officers to address the stress and trauma they face on the job. The presentation raises concerns about lowering standards in law enforcement recruitment and emphasizes the need to consider adverse childhood events in screening processes. Suggestions are made for incorporating ACE scores into psychological assessments for potential police officers. Efforts to improve mental health support and wellness initiatives for officers are also discussed, promoting regular mental health check-ins and peer support programs within police departments. The overall goal is to address the mental health challenges faced by police officers and enhance their well-being to ensure they can effectively perform their duties.

Keywords

police officers

mental health issues

adverse childhood events

PTSD

support programs

law enforcement recruitment

ACE scores

wellness initiatives