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Correctional Officers’ Mental Health
By Carl ToersBijns, former deputy warden, ASPC Eyman, Florence AZ
Published: 07/15/2013

Life work balance a Correctional officers are often asked to step up in what some call the most challenging situations related to life and death inside a large jail or prison. They must be first responders and handle critical incidents within a moment’s notice without warning or preparation. They must know how to use lethal and non-lethal force and make that decision in a split second. Needless to say their mindset need to be keenly tuned to be in touch with the ugly and violent world around them and how to effectively deal with distressing events may impact their behavior on or off duty.

Looking at some of the pitfalls of developing poor mental health conditions as a former officer and person, we need to look at your daily routines and see what negative patterns have been created since the job took over and controlled your mind. The first thing we need to do is avoid being in denial. From the moment you get up out of bed, you must realize how your activities create a pattern of thinking and actions that can be detrimental to your relationships as it relates to moods, sleep, drinking, attitudes as well as deeper negative impressions such as stress, anxiety and depression. Bad habits related to wellness must be taken care of before coming to work and undermining one’s individual mental health impacts the job as well as personal lives.

As an officer, you should focus on taking on some kind of physical activity that keeps your body and mind in harmony and lighten life. It will even ease some of the symptoms of depression and anxiety thus it is a powerful tool for you to workout whether a brisk walk or a session in the gym. Working overtime or being scheduled on 12 hour shifts takes a toll on your body and if you miss too much sleep you suffer from sleep deprivation that will bring stress, irritability and sadness into your lifestyle. Ensuring proper sleeping habits and taking the time to rest your body makes you a better officer in coping with your workplace environment and your personal life as well. Take advantage of the break between days off and use the time off constructively and focus on health and exercise to stay alert.

One thing I have noticed working as an officer is the desire or want to have what my co-workers has or buys. Coveting personal possessions whether it is a Harley Davidson motorcycle, four-wheeler or anything else keeps you on a track to keep up with the Joneses. This often creates financial stress and a compromise between happiness and irritability that often results in irrational behaviors and personal dissatisfaction of the job or your life. Another bad habit observed is the officer’s inability to multitask impaired by obsessive thinking that is harmful for it stresses you out and create a “fight or flight” situation that causes your body to produce hormones that speed up your heart rate and breathing. It also distracts you from doing your job more effectively and takes time away from those issues that need your immediate attention instead of dwelling of thoughts in the past or future.

Many officers suffer from keeping things inside of them and not dealing with feelings that causes the mind to fester and become short tempered or irritable. Bottling up your anger is the quickest way to get into trouble and do things you might regret later. Sometimes it is better to let things go and focus on the more important things that are within your span of control and express how you feel with those you are confident will help you and your problems. Balancing your work and your personal time is essential to wellness and happiness. When it gets out of balance there are increased risks of irresponsible decision making and devalued priorities that may create more problems for you. There is a critical side-effect when your work-personal time is out of balance as it diminishes your moral values and causes you to do a poor job of your required activities that may be more harmful than good for you.

Drinking too much affects your nervous system and had long term impact on your body and mind. It may also affect your attendance or ability to respond immediately as it slows down your reflexes and body functions. Too much drinking is often associated with the fact that you may become a recluse and stay inside the house too much and is certainly one sign of depression and should be addressed. Social isolation and staying away from other people can wedge friendships apart and family relationships to a point of hurt and regret. Drink responsibly and not before going in or driving to work.

The last negative effect of not balancing your body and your mind is the fact you become a criticizer or a fault finder and expect others to be as good or perfect as you are doing the job. Your criticism may be taken as being a “whiner” and is unacceptable in a team concept in many correctional settings. You shift blame to others and all the way up to the administration. This creates conflict at work and home as it unjustly raises the bar for others to meet your expectations whether realistic or not. Your actions will only result in disappointment in others as you cope with this symptom by being irritable or moody, develop bad eating habits or stop exercising. Source:

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/health/2013/05/07/12-ways-sabotage-our-mental-health/#ixzz2U2Vjrjhh

Corrections.com author, Carl ToersBijns, (retired), has worked in corrections for over 25 yrs He held positions of a Correctional Officer I, II, III [Captain] Chief of Security Mental Health Treatment Center – Program Director – Associate Warden - Deputy Warden of Administration & Operations. Car’s prison philosophy is all about the safety of the public, staff and inmates, "I believe my strongest quality is that I create strategies that are practical, functional and cost effective."

Other articles by ToersBijns:



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