We train police and military how to overcome the challenges of being physically safe. It's time to show them tools of how to overcome the psychological impact and challenges from being in the field as an active duty officer.

Police and Military personal have a higher rate of suicide than the civilian population. Mark Bouchard (@MarkBouchard) is currently with Canada's national police force, the RCMP. He was a SWAT operator and a medic who has developed a passion for mental health after suffering his own psychological injury back in 2015. Mark has taught dozens of mental health training sessions and spent seven years as a peer support member. His new book, Setting My Sights On Stigma: Thoughts From an Injured Mind, is an offering of information on how to navigate and heal from the psychological injuries from being on the front line. 

Mark Bouchard (@MarkBouchard) is creating a course on police culture and lethal force decisions for The First Responder Behavioral Health Institute. His new book, Setting My Sights On Stigma: Thoughts From an Injured Mind, is an offering of information on how to navigate and heal from the psychological injuries of being on the front line. Mark is a father, mental health advocate, and active duty police officer in the Canadian national force.

“The reality is, everyone is different in their versions of the impact of trauma, whether it's PTSD, depression, anxiety, they'll be impacted in different ways, and different treatments can help them.” 

- Mark Bouchard

Key Takeaways:

• Destigmatizing PTSD: PTSD is a diagnosis that can trap many in feeling helpless, less than, and out of control. Leaders in the military and police services are fighting to destigmatize the negative connotations of this diagnosis so that people do not feel afraid to come forward and get the help they need. 

• The New Way: Drinking too much alcohol and eating to deal with stress has been acceptable coping mechanisms in many professional communities. It is becoming common knowledge that these behaviors only add more stress on the mental, physical and emotional bodies. The new way is a path of healing and health and it works; get good sleep, eat well, journal thoughts and feelings, and get support. 

• Psychological Preventative Training: Suicide is becoming more common for active duty police and military. It is becoming obvious and urgent that police and military programs implement preventative psychological training for new recruits. Preventative training can help educate personnel in the forces on PTSD, anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation so they know what is happening if it comes up and how to get help.

• People Who Love to Serve: When you ask new recruits going into the military or police fields why they want to join the force. The #1 answer is, “to help people”. Most people go into the field of policing or military because they truly want to be of service to the community, state, and country. 

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Links for Mark Bouchard:

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