A Message about Mental Healthcare
The first step in healing is to admit the pain
I haven’t picked up the phone. I know I’m on thin
ice and that soon, my department will send me for a
drug test. I feel enormous guilt about going on shift
hung over, but I’m trying to quiet my mind and the
relentless scenes running through my head.
I wake up sweating and anxious. I know that I have
to take a drink just to stop shaking, but I still haven’t
picked up the phone. I’m torn between a stream
of thoughts: “I can’t lose this job.” “But I can’t stop
ANNIE
going out with the guys after shift.” “They’ll think
WEYMOUTH
something is wrong.”
These are the answers to the questions asked
of our clients. These are the blocks to their freedom and peace of
mind. Yet suicide rates remain high, and we all know that an officer
is more likely to die by his or her own gun than in the line of duty.
How are we failing? We’re not teaching resiliency skills and men-
tal toughness to new recruits or, veteran officers. We’re not realizing
that through some simple skills and intervention, we could prevent
a world of pain — because first we would have to admit that there
is pain.
What if there was a way to heal mind, body and spirit? What if
there was a way to heal the brain? What if it was possible to reduce
PTSD symptoms to the extent that nightmares, flashbacks, anxiety
and depression could be resolved? Isn’t that what is needed?
Please pick up the phone, especially if you recognize any of the
signs of alcoholism, depression and anxiety:
78
NEW JERSEY COPS
■ MARCH 2019
• Disheveled — uniform not up to standard, looks as though he
or she did not sleep.
• Poor grooming — lack of interest in personal appearance and
self-care.
• Absenteeism — skipping shifts, calling out, leaving early.
• Isolation — officer starts to keep a distance from people with
whom he or she normally spends time, both at work and home.
• Loss of enthusiasm — used to love the job; now, it is difficult
and wearing the officer down.
• Going through the motions — doing the minimal amount of
work required and not emotionally invested in the job like he
or she used to be.
Check up on each other; don’t be afraid to ask the difficult ques-
tions. If someone on your crew was pinned under a building, would
you help him or her? Would you go into the building and save his
or her life?
Well, that’s exactly what isn’t happening. We’re standing by,
watching as our brothers and sisters die. Create accountability
within your department, pay attention to each other and notice
when someone is not himself or herself. Don’t be afraid to speak
up! You might save someone’s life.
Even heroes need help sometimes.
Annie Weymouth, LMHC, CAP, CCJAP, CSAT, is the program director
for the First Responder Program at the Florida House Experience
and a former first responder.