With high officer stress, local police department hires someone to focus on mental health

The heavy things that police officers see on the job can take a toll on their emotional wellbeing. Chapel Hill's Police Department has just hired a Police Wellness Coordinator to focus on employees' physical and mental health. She begins her role on Monday.

"Research indicates that officers see about 790 critical incidents throughout a 20-year career," Chapel Hill Police Chief Celisa Lehew said. "That’s a lot of critical incidents to see."

Her department applied for, and recently was awarded, a $200,000 federal grant that she is applying toward the position and its programming.

"I am elated about it," she said.

The job posting explains the position "is responsible for developing, implementing and overseeing wellness programs and initiatives to enhance the overall health, mental resilience and job satisfaction of police officers, support staff and their families. This role focuses on promoting physical fitness, mental health, stress management, suicide prevention and other wellbeing aspects."

Duties include developing "mental health awareness and stress management programs," and creating an atmosphere in which officers can freely discuss their mental health struggles and seek guidance "without stigma and in a supportive and confidential environment."

Research from the National Fraternal Order of Police shows that, in a 2021 survey of its members, mental health ranked as one of the key issues they face.

For active officers, 44% reported psychological distress.

Lehew, who worked her way up through the ranks in Chapel Hill, knows what it's like.

She recalled one particularly traumatic day on the job.

"I was involved in an unfortunate very tragic incident in which a child had committed suicide after an argument with her mom," she said. "And they had been sent to their room. I responded, and years later I really struggled with sending my own children to their room ... Later in life, I really realized that was an effect that response had on me."

She hopes the new position can be part of a solution.

Although the funding for the position is limited to the two-year grant, Lehew said she is adamant the position will continue after that.

"We will find a way," she said.