OSHP encourages trooper wellness

Disclaimer: This article references suicide. If you or someone you know is struggling, you can reach the 988 Lifeline at any time of day by calling or texting 988. It's also possible to chat online at 988lifeline.org. FINDLAY — For many law enforcement officers, talking openly about mental health can feel risky. Some fear that admitting they're struggling will cost them their gun, badge and career. Staff Lt. Molly Harris of the Ohio State Highway Patrol says this belief isn't just outdated, it's wrong. Harris' job is very non-operational, she said, and is very focused on supporting other troopers, however she is able. Last spring, NPR reported that the "average law enforcement officer in the United States is exposed to 188 traumatic events over the span of their career, compared to the average civilian adult experiencing two to three over their lifetime." Other sources report officers see 700 traumatic events in their career. This exposure may make officers more susceptible to post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, burnout, substance abuse and thoughts of suicide. When Harris was in the academy, she said she was told that research showed that first responders have a much shorter life expectancy than civilian counterparts. "It's because of the stress that you're exposed to," she said. "...I think sometimes the cumulative trauma sneaks up on us more than we know and before we start to feel the effects of it." To help officers cope with the difficulties of the job, many law enforcement agencies across the nation are working to expand and implement wellness resources for officers. Across Ohio, each division of the Ohio State Highway Patrol offers differing resources to their staff. In northwestern Ohio, OSHP encourages troopers to utilize programs such as First Responders Bridge that leads three-day retreats for first responders and their spouses, Frontline Freedom that offers outdoor experiences for frontline workers, Stockhands Equine teaches basic horsemanship to first responders and their families, and Mighty Oaks that offers peer-to-peer programs for military, first responders and their families. All programs are free and open to first-responders from any Ohio agency. The OSHP also utilizes two therapy dogs and has a variety of peer-to-peer and professional therapy resources available to troopers. But attending a program is only the beginning. "You have to be open to it," Harris said. "You have to be ready to do some work. Just learning about this stuff isn't going to fix a lot of the issues." The culture of law enforcement can make officers feel isolated, Harris said. Some may believe that they are alone in their struggles and that they are the only ones who were affected by a bad call. Many believe they're the only ones struggling or worry that admitting they're overwhelmed will make colleagues question their abilities. Officers must rely on each other in life or death situations. Some may fear if they speak openly about mental health, they'll look "weak" in front of their peers and there will be a lack of trust that they'll be able to do their jobs effectively. First responders are people of service; they want to help others, not need help themselves. So the stigma persists. For years, she said, OSHP had a reputation for being "stoic" and "hard-nosed." It was an organization where troopers weren't supposed to show emotion. Even with strong resources, stigma and a lack of education still prevent some from seeking help. Despite offering many great resources, including two therapy dogs, she said some may not get the help they need because of stigma and lack of education. "For a long time, they thought that if you had some struggles, you would lose your gun and your badge," Harris said, adding that this assumption isn't true. "Even if we had to pink-slip one of our own people, they aren't going to lose their job." Pink-slipping is the legal process that allows authorities to take someone into protective custody for evaluation when they pose a risk to themselves or others. In other states, the name differs but the legal emergency custody order exists nationwide. She compares it to a broken leg. It's an injury that needs to be given proper medical attention but isn't going to disqualify anyone from the role. "We work through these things to get people healthy," she said. Troopers who prefer privacy can seek support from peers in other agencies. By implementing more resources and maintaining an encouraging environment that allows them to share and discuss their experiences, troopers are increasingly "allowed to be human." Harris believes the culture is changing, slowly but meaningfully. She said her work is very strongly supported by the division colonel and she is always looking for new resources and support to offer, but that leadership cannot take all the credit for changing the culture. Some of it may be encouragement from other troopers. If she can help one person, thereby getting them to trust her, there may be a ripple effect that causes others to trust her and ask for support. After a thirty-year career, Harris said she's "seen some stuff," and knows the toll trauma can take. "Coming from a time period where it was not acceptable to talk about it, it's so rewarding to be a part of something that gets the help to people so they don't suffer in silence… As first responders, we are a close-knit group. It doesn't matter whether it's somebody in Ashtabula and somebody down in Cincinnati, it affects us when we see bad things happen." Harris never forces anyone to discuss anything they don't want to, but believes in the "power of presence," simply being there to support. Mostly, she tries to remind them that "it's okay not to be okay." "Get the help so you are," she said.