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Police Stress Unit

Law Enforcement Officers face many types of danger in their career. On average somewhere in America, a Law Enforcement Officer is killed in-the-line-of-duty every 54 hours. Law Enforcement Officers often pay another price that doesn't make the headlines on the evening news, yet one that still destroys lives. Stress is Law Enforcement's Hidden Assailant. Law Enforcement work can be a killer, even if no one is shooting at you! Stress among Law Enforcement Officers often effect relationships ending in divorce - an annual rate of nearly five times that of the general population. It spells problems with alcohol, prescription drug abuse, and domestic violence. Stress also means disruption of normal sleeping patterns, eating habits, poor nutrition, paranoia, fear, anger, and depression. In addition to the day-to-day stresses of law enforcement work, officers are also exposed to critical incident and post-traumatic stress. The officer's psychological defense mechanisms become over whelmed causing the officer to develop long-term stress effects. As a last resort, many officers turn their own handguns on themselves making law enforcement suicide an international epidemic.

The Central Florida Police Stress Unit, Inc. is staffed by a director and peer-support volunteers who have a variety of training and life experiences. Professional help is available through a collaborative effort with the Counseling Center of Catholic Charities. Services are provided by Licensed Mental Health Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists, Clinical Social Workers, and a consulting Police Psychologist.

The Central Florida Police Stress Unit addresses the following areas:

Relationship and Marital Difficulties
Alcohol and Substance Abuse
Domestic Violence and Spouse Abuse
Trauma associated with Shootings, Accidents, Injury, and Death
Difficult Relationships with Management and Co-workers
Health and Wellness Issues
Financial Problems and Debt Management
Issues related to Retirement

http://www.policestress.org/

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