Peer Support Group launched in an effort to help NKY officers with mental health issues

ALEXANDRIA, Ky. (WXIX) – The Northern Kentucky Police Chiefs Association is starting a peer support group to help law enforcement officers deal with the stress and trauma that comes with their job.

The team will consist of law enforcement officers trained in peer support, critical incident response and crisis intervention, in addition to a medical advisor who can refer an officer to medical care if necessary.

“We recognize that police officers are tasked with dealing with difficult and challenging incidents that could negatively impact their personal well-being,” said Alexandria Police Chief Lucas Cooper, chairman of the Chiefs Association Health & Wellness Committee. “The support of a colleague who has experienced similar issues can help provide guidance, recommendations and connection to resources.”

The peer support team provides services for:

Post-traumatic incident
Problems sleeping
Alcohol or drug addiction
Anxiety and depression
The hardships of life
Feelings of loneliness
Other situations and circumstances that require peer support

An article, published by Walden University’s Criminal Justice Department, lists five reasons why the mental health of police officers should be a priority:

Police officers report higher rates of depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
More police officers die by suicide than in the line of duty.
Productivity is negatively affected by poor mental health.
Most law enforcement officers do not seek care for mental health issues.
Despite a lack of treatment, mental health issues are common among those in law enforcement jobs.

The suicide rate among law enforcement officers has steadily declined over the past five years, after reaching a record 255 deaths in 2019. Blue HELPan organization that compiles a list of first responder suicides and aims to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health.

Despite the decline in suicide reports, mental health is still a major issue within law enforcement, as they experience more trauma than regular citizens.

“The peer support team works to create a safe and welcoming environment where police officers can express their struggles and gain a better understanding of how to cope,” Chief Cooper said in a news release.

For more information about the peer support team, please call 859-578-2021.

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