Peer support has been around for ages.\u00a0 In the 1950\u2019s and 1960\u2019s peer support programs began to emerge at the Chicago Police department, the Boston Police department and NYPD.\u00a0 They called those willing In the 1980\u2019s, formalized, official, peer support\u00a0\u00a0 programs were developed by LAPD, the San Bernardino Sheriff\u2019s department and the Long Beach police department. \u00a0\u00a0It was at this time they changed their names from \u201ccounselors to supporters\u201d because it appeared misleading. They were originally set up to assist existing mental health services.\u00a0 Those designated peer supporters would help recognize those officers who were having personal and emotional problems. Similar to an \u201cearly detection\u201d program.\u00a0 These departments and their mental health providers, quickly realized the advantages to having trained peer support officers be immediately available.<\/span><\/p>\n Peer supporters became a resource for those that needed to talk \u201con the job\u201d.\u00a0 During that time, Police officers were reluctant to reach out to their mental health providers, because they considered them \u201coutsiders\u201d. There was a fear of \u201closing one\u2019s job\u201d if you went to therapy, and fear you may be ridiculed by your co-workers if they found out.\u00a0 This attitude only increased the need for peer support programs.\u00a0 Since that time, mental health services focused on \u201cpublic safety\u201d have been widely accepted.\u00a0 The agencies who believe in offering help to their personnel now have a formalized peer support program that works in tandem with their mental health providers.<\/span><\/p>\n In the 1990\u2019s, Police associations (unions) began to provide monies to have those members chosen to be peer supporters get the necessary training required to be in the program.\u00a0 There was an increase in suicides, so they looked at decreasing their rates by having a peer support act as a \u201cprevention and intervention\u201d resource.\u00a0 In addition, over the years, peer support has been added to the \u201ctrauma (critical incident) intervention arena\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n Peer support, mental health services and chaplains are all resources that have proven to be extremely valuable for the wellness of law enforcement organizations.\u00a0 We call it the \u201chelping triad.\u201d\u00a0 One group does not act alone, they work together as a team for the health and benefit of those they are serving. \u00a0Mental health professionals possess the diagnostic skills to help recognize issues more serious than may be observed.\u00a0 They are also granted legal privileged communication. (only a few states grant this to peer supporters) The chaplains have an on-going relationship with department personnel and can help observe their behavior and the peer supporters understand the day-to-day stresses they are experiencing.<\/span><\/p>\n The mission of peer support is to get those having difficulty to open up about their problems, so the peer supporter can get them into the appropriate resources.\u00a0 Peer supporters know their boundaries.\u00a0 They are taught to, LISTEN, ASSESS, REFER and most importantly FOLLOW-UP.\u00a0 They are not their clinicians and should not act like one.\u00a0 Peer support programs break down the barriers that may exist with some officers.\u00a0 They build the trust between the mental health providers, chaplains and the officers.\u00a0 They are also the first line of defense. \u00a0Many officers will want to talk to a peer before they call and make an appointment with a clinician or seek out assistance with a chaplain.\u00a0 A well trained peer can make that transition easier for them, and make it one of their goals of their helping process.<\/span><\/p>\n Peer support programs are also great to have, because the help needed can be provided right away in the work environment.\u00a0 Peer supporters can defuse the situation before it gets worse.\u00a0 Having a peer support program can reduce the emotional impact of a critical incident, because peer support can be there in a timely manner, which may lead to a faster recovery. Providing a defusing will help pave the way for the mental health professional to begin their critical incident management services.<\/span><\/p>\n Peer support can also assist the mental health clinician, who facilitates the group debriefings, crisis management debriefings and the RITS (rest, information, transition, services). Peer supporters can also provide practical assistance, such as, making phone calls for the impacted officer, get them something to eat, drink and if necessary transport the officer\u2019s family. \u00a0Law Enforcement mental health providers welcome the opportunity to work side by side with well-run peer support and chaplain programs. \u00a0\u00a0We believe in all three groups and the benefits law enforcement personnel receive from them.<\/span><\/p>\n![\"XEER\"](\"http:\/\/policepsychologyblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/XEER-300x276.bmp\")
to be in the program \u201cpeer counselors\u201d.\u00a0\u00a0 The programs were originally created, because of the increase in alcohol abuse and the disciplines surrounding the abuse.\u00a0 Their programs followed the Alcoholics Anonymous 12-step program.\u00a0 The peer counselors (supporters) were in \u201crecovery\u201d and it was assumed the best fit to help others with their alcohol problems.<\/span><\/p>\n