Prioritizing mental health is important for everyone, but in some professions, stress can really affect that. For first responders and their experiences while on the job, it can be hard to maintain mental health as a priority.
Last week, the T-6 Advanced Traning & Career Development group came to Billings for their “Getting Through the Grind” Workshop hosted by the Billings Police Department. T-6 is a nonprofit group helping first responders handle job related stressors. The workshop was also offered in Helena and Kalispell. “Getting Through the Grind” was taught by local first responders who speak form experience of battling mental health difficulties.
In a press release, Jessie Holton, lead instructor and cofounder of T-6 said suicide is the number one killer for law enforcement officers. High divorce rates and alcohol abuse are also common as well as a low officer retention rate. T-6 plans to change that for law enforcement and all first responders. During the two day workshop, first responders were encouraged to find hobbies to help them de-stress from work like gardening, painting, fishing, etc.
The Montana Law Enforcement Officer (LEO) Peer Support Network is a new peer support group helping officers talk with others about how they are feeling. Statistics found on the Networks facebook page says police officers with a 20-year career will experience 800 critical accidents whereas an average person has about one to two critical accidents in their life.
