Job-related health issues are a concern for many people in our country and around the world. Public safety officers have one of the most stressful jobs around. They need to remain calm in some of the most terrifying situations and they often work long shifts or shifts that last overnight. It’s not surprising that almost fifty percent of public safety officers report having mental health symptoms. Here are some of the health issues affecting public safety officers.

Stress

Public safety officers risk their lives everyday to protect our citizens. They are exposed to extremely high levels of stress. Stress can cause a number of symptoms including headaches, stomach aches, low energy, chest pain, sore muscles, insomnia, and frequent colds and infections.

Some of the ways that 9-1-1 dispatchers deal with stress are also effective for public safety officers. These include spending quality time with loved ones, talking to a counsellor, and using exercise as a stress reliever.

Anxiety and Depression

Anxiety and depression are often the result of repeated stress. The symptoms of anxiety and depression are similar to those of stress. Sometimes people with depression can end up turning to drugs or alcohol for relief.

There are a few things that can help with anxiety and depression as well as improve the mental health of public safety officers. Instituting an employee wellness plan is key in the process and can include things like counselling services, gym passes, and social activities.

Lack of Sleep

Given the amount of shift work required by public safety officers, it’s not surprising that they suffer from a lack of sleep. Lack of sleep can cause dizziness, mood changes, memory problems, and difficulty concentrating.

Exposure

Public safety officers experience physical health issues as well. They risk being exposed to any number of things depending on what they are dealing with. This can range from toxic chemicals to flying objects and gunfire. Public safety officers have a very real risk of physical injury.

Dangerous people are a big threat to the physical health of public safety officers as well. Sometimes, no matter what the officer does, the other person intends to harm them. But the greatest dangers to the physical health of public safety officers are two things you’d least expect: traffic and training accidents. Traffic accidents have been the leading cause of death for public safety officers over the past several years.

While public safety is a career with high risks to the mental and physical health of those who choose it, Silent Partner can help manage some of these issues for public safety officers by giving them less to worry about on the job. This smartphone recording app provides premium quality recording of audio and video and can capture text messages and photos. It provides added benefits of case management features and speech analytics. Lighten the load of your public safety officers by contacting us today to learn more about Silent Partner.