'Behind the Badge' report shows impact of exposure to trauma and stress
The National Police Federation issued an urgent call for comprehensive mental health support for RCMP officers during the release of the ‘Behind the Badge: Revealing Escalating Mental Health Injuries Among RCMP Members’ report in Ottawa on Wednesday.
The report is based on a study by a team of researchers at the University of Regina and it sheds light on the escalating mental health challenges facing Canada's front-line Mounties, underlining a significant increase in occupational stress and its detrimental impact on officers' psychological well-being.
"The general message is a refresher of a broader survey that indicated organizational and occupational stressors have had a detrimental impact on our members," says Brian Sauvé, president of the National Police Federation.
He says while RCMP cadets start their careers more resilient than the average Canadian, their mental health deteriorates over time due to exposure to trauma and high-stress situations, underscoring a pressing need for sustainable solutions to maintain this resilience throughout their careers.
Sauvé pointed out that RCMP officers are exposed to an average of 20 times more potentially psychologically traumatic incidents than the public. This exposure, coupled with the unique challenges of being stationed in remote locations, where access to mental health care is limited, calls for an innovative approach to mental health support.
One promising avenue is leveraging technology to provide remote access to care. Sauvé mentioned a partnership with TELUS virtual healthcare network as a pivotal step towards making mental health services more accessible to officers, regardless of their location. "Leveraging those technologies... are really easy solutions to implement," he says, highlighting the importance of a dedicated commitment to the RCMP's employee safety and well-being strategy.
Sauvé says reception to the report has been overwhelmingly positive, with key government officials and public safety partners recognizing the need for action. The National Police Federation's recommendations aim to streamline access to care, promote transparency, and ensure the RCMP's commitment to officer well-being is both visible and effective.
Sauvé remains optimistic about the future, saying the report is not a "doom and gloom story" but a call to action. "It's a really good point to look at and say, 'How can we improve on what's already out there?”
The Federation's efforts to push for better mental health support and resources for RCMP officers reflect a broader mission to enhance the resilience and effectiveness of law enforcement personnel across Canada, ultimately benefiting society at large.
As the RCMP and governmental bodies work towards implementing the report's recommendations, the focus remains on creating a safer, healthier, and more resilient police force.
