Ptsd

Clutch Cargo · 09-29-2012, 23:54

Do you guys get adequate treatment/compensation for work-related PTSD health issues? It took years for the federal gubmint to get with the program in treating us veterans. I was wondering if the same is true on the local/county/state level in treating LEOs.

collim1 · 09-30-2012, 02:19

Not a chance. I have taken some vacation time after a hairy incident or two, sometimes you need a break. Especially after a critical incident.

A trip to the lake for some fishing and a cold brew or few can do wonders.

razdog76 · 09-30-2012, 04:59

Depends entirely on the Officer's insurance.

Many agencies have a specific policy requiring being cleared by a shrink before returning to duty after a shooting, but nothing for all the other calls.

4949shooter · 09-30-2012, 05:10

My agency has an incident debriefing policy. If a member is involved in a traumatic incident he or she will meet with one of the agency psychologists.

merlynusn · 09-30-2012, 07:14

Ours is pretty much only if you're involved in a shooting.

Otherwise, you'd have to do it yourself and go the EAP route or do a CISD on your own.

The people our admin always forgets... dispatchers and crime scene (who actually see more crap than most officers)

Rex G · 09-30-2012, 10:44

I think, but am not totally sure, that my employer is fairly enlightened on PTSD. A disciplinary action against an officer was recently mitigated somewhat when a department psychologist testified that the officer had PTSD. Our latest in-service training cycle had a class guest-taught by a rep from a veteran's group that advocates for vets with PTSD.

I do not want to publicly specify my employer, due to rules about the use of social media.

4949shooter · 09-30-2012, 10:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rex G

I think, but am not totally sure, that my employer is fairly enlightened on PTSD. A disciplinary action against an officer was recently mitigated somewhat when a department psychologist testified that the officer had PTSD. Our latest in-service training cycle had a class guest-taught by a rep from a veteran's group that advocates for vets with PTSD.

I do not want to publicly specify my employer, due to rules about the use of social media.

Don't worry about it. If you keep posting here we will figure it out!

frizz · 09-30-2012, 10:58

Shouldn't this be a worker's comp issue?

I know that filing a WC claim can be the end of a job, even for valid claims, but this sucks.

RetailNinja · 09-30-2012, 11:04

If we got PTSD we'd be firemen.

frizz · 09-30-2012, 11:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by collim1

Not a chance. I have taken some vacation time after a hairy incident or two, sometimes you need a break. Especially after a critical incident.

A trip to the lake for some fishing and a cold brew or few can do wonders.

Sounds like you are doing your best to keep your mental health good. I will say that any cop who is severely injured on the job can wind up with PTSD. Even a mentally strong, well adjusted person can get it because it is a neuro-chemical thing, as I understand it.

I still remember the cop who taught the firearms familiarization course waaaay back in the mid 1990s who said if you ever have to kill someone, get help. He said that he'd seen good, well-adjusted cops who'd killed someone in a kill-or-be-killed situation wind up in the bottle or otherwise messed up in the head.

His agency had a "man up and suck it up" attitude. Hell, his agency took FOREVER to adopt a post-HIV-exposure prophylactic protocol.

RetailNinja · 09-30-2012, 11:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by frizz

Sounds like you are doing your best to keep your mental health good. I will say that any cop who is severely injured on the job can wind up with PTSD. Even a mentally strong, well adjusted person can get it because it is a neuro-chemical thing, as I understand it.

My department offers counseling services. If anything beyond that is required, it is a worker's comp issue. Of 30 sworn, I don't know of anyone using it ever, and we have seen some hairy stuff.

I think a big part of it is having predermined and open avenues of dispelling stress. Obviously that is not an all encompassing, 100% thing, but more of IMO.

I agree with Collin on the vacation bit. Get away, and hang out with friends who are not cops. It helps.

SPDSNYPR · 09-30-2012, 12:11

Not at all. I have sleep issues still years after a fatal shooting, anxiety issues, etc. It makes you edgy. My admin won't pay for **** and are pretty much a bunch of dicks about it. They could give two ****s less. Cops are a line item on a budget to my cheif, and he doesn't want to spend money for anything he doesn't have to. Of course, buying a million dollar computer software package that hasn't worked for 2 years (it's not even online yet and they have two officers working full time with IT trying to get it to work) is OK. Spend money on bullets for training, time and travel for training that might keep people alive, or help them out for psychological problems they're dealing with because of the job is too much to ask.

No - we're pretty much on our own. And as you can see, I'm thrilled about it.

Naelbis · 09-30-2012, 12:19

We have EAP available but no one uses it. Despite the confidential nature of the process,, using it is a good way to be unemployed since we are required to sign release of medical information authorizations to be armed. So if we seek counseling we automatically lose the ability to carry.

***Cochese*** · 09-30-2012, 12:22

I run my mouth a lot about the department but they do right there. I was offered support for two shootings in 2009 and most recently for the theater shooting. CISD meetings, counseling if needed...

All I really have to worry about is CopTalk trolls.

OLY-M4gery · 09-30-2012, 13:25

We have an EAP program.

We also have debriefing services that happen after all criritcal incidents. The same company that my department uses also does fire, ems, and industrial acident debriefing services.

There is also a psychiatrist/psycholigist in the area that is real familiar with LE type issues, and doesn't accept new patients, unless you are LE.

Others tell me he is very helpful.

cowboywannabe · 09-30-2012, 14:56

small towns suck when it comes to taking care of cops whom have been there.....thats why so many drink (too much).

Clutch Cargo · 09-30-2012, 15:51

It saddens me to hear that departments have various programs to deal with traumatic events, but your career is hurt should you seek help.

blueiron · 09-30-2012, 16:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cochese

All I really have to worry about is CopTalk trolls.

Vacation!

Vacation - The Go-go's - YouTube

Clutch Cargo · 09-30-2012, 16:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by blueiron

Vacation!
Vacation - The Go-go's - YouTube

There's a blast from the past.

collim1 · 09-30-2012, 16:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clutch Cargo

There's a blast from the past.

Love me some Belinda Carlisle.

Patchman · 09-30-2012, 16:27

I know that after any traumatic event, we have counseling available. What other support is/are available beyond that, I don't know.

I only recently found out that our agency has an arrangement with a particular local hospital for mental health visits and hospitalizations (if necessary).