A recent spotlight on Senior Patrol Officer Scott Nielsen depicts the added stress and mental health burden that weighs on Law Enforcement. In the article, Nielsen describes a traumatic situation he faced on the job which was followed by significant mental turmoil that he has not yet sought professional help for. Such occurrences are not uncommon in the field. Many barriers such as negative stigma, perceived weakness and lack of funding have prevented officers from seeking the care they need to address ongoing stress responses. Our own Trauma expert, Ashley Greenwell, has provided commentary in this article and highlights the importance of recognizing signs of struggle as well as utilizing stress management programs.
