Recognizing Depression and Raising Awareness Among Law Enforcement Professionals

• NCJ Number: 193279
• Journal: Police Chief Volume: 69 Issue: 2 Dated: February 2002 Pages: 84-86,89
• Author(s): Laura Hoofnagle
• Date Published: 2002
• Length: 4 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Issue Overview
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This article examines the need for police chiefs to raise awareness and to take action to help law enforcement personnel deal with depression.

Abstract

The inability to recognize the symptoms of depression and the unwillingness to seek treatment are the two main barriers to recovery. Education can help people overcome these barriers. There are a number of myths associated with depression. 1) People with depression are not trying hard enough to feel better. In fact depression is a chemical imbalance in the brain, which can cause a person to have a hopeless outlook on life. 2) Depression will go away on its own. In fact depression is a medical condition that must be treated. It does not go away completely without some type of treatment. 3) Depression in unrelated to experiencing trauma. In fact traumatic experiences, such as those involving violence, danger, or death may lead to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which can lead to numerous problems including depression. 4) Medications for depression are habit forming and can change one’s personality. Fact, antidepressants are not habit forming. 5) Treatment for depression will make an officer less able to do his or her job. The right treatment for will make an officer more effective. 6) Alcohol use is an effective way to improve moods. In fact, because alcohol acts as a depressant on the brain, the initial euphoria it produces soon wears off, and the existing depression worsens. 7) Depression and suicide are someone else’s problem. In fact, depression can affect anyone regardless of age, race, gender, or socioeconomic class. Because depression is an imbalance of chemicals in the brain, medication is often prescribed to relieve the symptoms. Talking with others who are experiencing depression also helps alleviate symptoms. In order to raise awareness about depression, police chiefs should: consider mandatory counseling after traumatic events; consider in-service training on depression; and review departmental policies on leave and disability.