In 2020 the Boston Police Foundation unveiled a special memorial wall at police headquarters with 13 plaques representing officers who had died by suicide in the 25 years before that. And in the next spot a poignant message: “May there never be another.”
It was the first memorial of its kind in the nation “recognizing, remembering, and honoring police officers who have died by suicide.” And sadly there was another star added last year for Andrew O’Connor, 42, who had joined the force in 2021, serving most of that time in East Boston.
If there’s anything that police unions and public officials ought to be able to agree on, it’s that officers who need help should have ready access to confidential counseling and services without fear of adverse impact on their careers. Study after study has shown that the stresses on first responders generally, but police in particular, continue to take their toll on lives — on careers, on marriages — with no end in sight.
Suicides are, of course, the worst manifestation of the result of those stresses.
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Police and firefighters are more likely to die by suicide than be killed in the line of duty, according to a 2022 study by the Ruderman Family Foundation.
But there are also the walking wounded among police, who abuse alcohol or drugs, whose behavior often goes unnoticed until there’s a crash that can’t be ignored.
“Police officers have a higher risk than the general population of developing stress-related health problems, such as flashbacks, nightmares, emotional numbness, and avoidance behaviors,” a study in the Journal of Police and Criminal Psychology found.
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But the stigma of seeking help to deal with mental health issues still keeps many from doing so. Some of that reluctance is the cultural stigma within the ranks of police, but also what mental health professionals call self-stigma, that internalized “shame” experienced by too many in need of help.
A recent survey by the state’s Police Officer Standards and Training Commission of 60 police unions found most reported their officers (27 percent) did not feel comfortable accessing behavioral health resources or services. Another 24 percent of officers had a “moderate” level of comfort.
But when the survey turned its attention to barriers to seeking treatment, the top one was stigma (49 percent) — a figure that closely tracks national numbers. That was followed closely by “fear of adverse employment outcomes” (43 percent), along with time (29 percent), and fears about attracting the attention of the POST Commission itself, which certifies officers.
Addressing those fears, a POST spokesperson responded, “We do not envision declining recertification based solely on a physical or psychological exam for incumbent officers. We understand that a non-punitive approach to enhance wellness for all officers by finding ways to support their overall well-being can yield better outcomes. This could include working with agencies to adopt or enhance certain policies and providing information and/or training to officers about existing resources and best practices.”
Many of the critical resources currently available are part of collectively bargained benefits such as employee assistance programs or mandated “critical incident debriefing.” Boston, for example, has a peer support unit, which offers “critical incident stress management following traumatic incidents,” and a family assistance unit.
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The POST survey found some police unions still eager to bargain for periodic evaluations by a mental health provider or having a partnership with a provider coming in a close second.
A new report by the Police Executive Research Forum released last month promoted the notion that police-centered residential treatment centers should also be “part of a comprehensive recruitment and retention plan” — and yes, there are such things. Six of these facilities were featured in the report. But the report also noted that ensuring “access to confidential counseling services, wellness programs, and services” was also critical — along with the time off, including administrative leave — to take advantage of such programs.
And, it added, “Confidentiality is one of the most important considerations for police officers when deciding whether to seek treatment and where to receive care.”
The Massachusetts Legislature addressed that issue in 2018, guaranteeing first responders confidentiality when talking to peer counselors. But the POST survey indicates that certainly hasn’t been adequate to the problem and officers remain skeptical.
“American law enforcement officers are tired, working too many hours, and lacking time for proper nutrition and exercise. Equally concerning, officers are left emotionally raw by cumulative trauma and lack of rest after critical incidents,” noted Police1’s “What Cops Want in 2024” survey.
The PERF report concluded, “Although stigma is still a significant barrier to treatment, there are signs that the tightly woven culture of silence — the one that says police officers will lose their job if they ask for help — is starting to unravel. In its place, today’s police officers can boldly weave a new culture of openness and honesty, where trauma and its effects are normalized (it’s okay to not be okay) and seeking professional help is expected (but it’s not okay to stay that way).”
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That’s the ideal. Building that into the fabric of policing — one police contract at a time — is a worthwhile but timely project. Having POST set the tone for that conversation is a good place to start.
Editorials represent the views of the Boston Globe Editorial Board. Follow us @GlobeOpinion.
