ior that can destroy a marriage.
“The consequences of untreated mental health issues,” Dr.
Bizzarro emphasized.
In presenting the peer assistance portion of the training,
Burkert reached back to his days serving as the State Delegate
for Union County Corrections Local 199 to underscore the job
protection provided in the Americans with Disabilities Act if
an officer asks for help. He detailed how being a “Brother’s
Keeper” entails key observation skills.
“You know who these members are. They are in every jail,”
Burkert implored. “You see them coming late to work, you see
they are losing weight and shutting down. You have to have
the courage to go to ask them specific questions about their
well-being.”
The training culminated with Dr. B asking participants to
participate in a well-being analysis similar to the question-
naires that the PBA Clinical Services team has sent out to
members. It’s a self-examination of physical, career, social,
community, spiritual and financial well-being.
“Basically an inventory to increase insight and self-aware-
ness,” Dr. B added. “You have to take care of you before you
can take care of anybody else.”
The session inspired attendees to open up about their per-
sonal issues and what they did to overcome them. They also
talked about some of their family issues. That has become a
requisite for being a Brother’s Keeper and leads to a realiza-
tion that can ultimately remedy the loneliness and reduce the
risk of the troubling behavior.
“It’s not the end of your career if you go through a time when
CONTINUED ON PAGE 42
Members of State Corrections Local 105 participate in the peer liaison
training.
We appreciate the New Jersey State PBA, its members and families
Thank You for All that You Do
www.njcopsmagazine.com
■ JULY 2017 41