45 minutes, 48 seconds Power of Post-Traumatic Growth
45 minutes, 48 seconds
Growth and distress are separate dimensions but are often co-occurring. Trauma survivors may experience adverse symptoms, but they can experience growth within the context of this distress. This webcast discusses how post-traumatic growth (PTG) can manifest itself in five domains: an increased appreciation for life, relating to others, new possibilities, an increased sense of personal strength, and spiritual growth.
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Money Matters: Reduce Financial Stress
45 minutes, 36 seconds
No matter where you are in your law enforcement career, striving for financial wellness, developing budgeting skills, and planning for retirement should be top priorities. But why is your financial wellness so important? Money and finances can affect all aspects of your life, including job performance, personal relationships, and even sleep. This live SAFLEO webcast will focus on financial aspects that we can control and discuss why officers need to strive for financial wellness.
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Serving While Hurting
59 minutes, 23 seconds
Law enforcement faces daily painful and often dangerous calls that can be difficult. Without the tools needed to process these potentially traumatic experiences, individuals might develop unhealthy coping mechanisms. Personal stress should be discussed at all levels, with resources made available to break this dangerous cycle. Developing a plan for resiliency and wellness reduces many adverse outcomes from unhealthy coping. This session will share lessons learned from professionals in the field, coupled with the resources of police chaplains.
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What Is Spiritual Wellness?
59 minutes, 42 seconds
Understanding and finding one’s spiritual wellness is vital when considering the work our brave officers do each day. The exposure to exponential job stress, dangerous situations, and life circumstances underscores the need to leverage every positive resource available. Spiritual wellness has the power to make our decisions and choices easier, ground us during periods of change, and give us the resiliency to survive with grace and inner peace in the face of adversity. This session will provide a detailed explanation of what spiritual wellness means and its critical need for today’s law enforcement, first responders, and corrections professionals.
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The Benefits of Sleep
15 minutes
Sleep is beneficial for both our bodies and our minds. Not receiving the proper amount of quality sleep may affect your or the public’s safety. With the help of Dr. Olivia Johnson, we will discuss the benefits of sleep, the dangers of not getting enough sleep, and tips for achieving better sleep.
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Preparing Your Agency to Handle an Officer's Death
34 minutes, 36 seconds
A line-of-duty death is an unfortunate event that no agency wants to experience but every agency needs to be prepared for. After the death of an officer is not the time to begin creating a working operation plan. From investigation to funeral services, agencies need policies to assist a grieving department, families, and communities. Discover lessons learned, where you can begin, and the importance of being prepared in this SAFLEO podcast.
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Using Courageous Vulnerability to Influence Police Culture on Mental Health
54 minutes, 40 seconds
The focus of this presentation is to increase the understanding of the need for agencies to provide resources, training, and positive messaging to reduce the fear of seeking assistance as well as an increased understanding of the concept of courageous vulnerability.
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Physical Activity as an Emotional Stabilizer
46 minutes, 3 seconds
The law enforcement profession places unique and specific physical and emotional demands on the officers, deputies, and agents who serve. In this webcast, Assistant Chief Stephen Petrilli and Captain Brandon Post (Retired) will cover specific physical activity solutions that law enforcement professionals can use to positively impact not only their physical well-being but also their emotional health. Join the event to hear the mental health benefits gained from physical fitness and how you can utilize these benefits in your daily life.
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The Law Enforcement Suicide Data Collection Program
22 minutes, 29 seconds
“As we understand more about the circumstances surrounding officer suicides, we can develop more effective and comprehensive programs and resources to combat it.” Brandon Post, a lead instructor with the SAFLEO Program, and Acting Section Chief Amy Blasher with the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services Division discuss the new Law Enforcement Suicide Data Collection Program. They answer the following questions: what the program is, why we need this program, and what the program is hoping to accomplish.
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Flexing Spiritual Wellness: The Power and Benefits of Utilizing a Chaplains Program
1 hour, 36 seconds
Law enforcement professionals are exposed to a unique set of on-the-job and personal stressors that place them at a higher risk for adverse mental and physical health outcomes than the general public. Chaplains play a significant role in providing support for these stressors by fostering officer well-being through spiritual and psychological hope. They assist in establishing rapport, offering confidential counseling, and serve as peacekeepers during crises. They also provide support at funerals and burials where individuals experience profound emotions. In this Web event, instructors cover lessons learned from a successful chaplaincy program over the length of the program.
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Warning Signs: How to Recognize Burnout
39 minutes, 12 seconds
As administrators and supervisors, we need to be more proactive when it comes to the health and safety of our officers. In this SAFLEO podcast, instructor Michon Morrow, Assistant Chief with the Lincoln, Nebraska, Police Department, and Lori Luhnow, retired Chief of Police with the Santa Barbara, California, Police Department, discuss the critical role leaders play in recognizing the signs of stress and providing resources and peer support for their officers beginning on day one.
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Disconnecting From Duty
25 minutes, 46 seconds
Can you just be you on your downtime? Join SAFLEO instructor George Mussini with the Baltimore County, Maryland, Police Department and Dr. Robert Sobo, director of the professional counseling division of the Chicago, Illinois, Police Department, as they discuss the importance of balancing your time on duty with your time off duty.
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Fear of Seeking Assistance
22 minutes, 20 seconds
In law enforcement, fear is tied to vulnerability, and vulnerability is seen as a weakness because that’s what the culture tells you. Your training teaches you to be courageous for others, but not for yourself. Use that courage to ask for help when you need it. It is important to be healthy mentally and physically.
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Combating Law Enforcement Suicide
1 hour, 4 minutes, 56 seconds
Learn about the National Suicide Awareness for Law Enforcement Officers (SAFLEO) Program and what it offers. A well, healthy officer and agency is a safer officer and agency. Health and wellness must receive the same level of attention as any other aspect of policing. Not only will the individual officer benefit, but so will their agency and the community they serve.
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What Happens When I Ask for Help? Removing the Mystery
1 hour, 10 minutes, 14 seconds
Law enforcement officers throughout the nation collectively respond to thousands of calls daily that require them to face the unknown. The Web event seeks to remove the mystery regarding a different unknown, asking for help.
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Manage Your Emotions: Increase Positive Outcomes
2 minutes, 56 seconds
In law enforcement, you make rapid decisions when dealing with escalating situations or potential threats. Remaining calm helps you think clearly during difficult or escalating encounters and enhances your ability to protect community members, yourself, and the subject. Take the time to identify and practice techniques that help you manage your emotions when faced with difficult calls. Bringing calm into a situation can help reduce tension and lead to safer resolutions.
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Importance of Supporting Mindfulness for Law Enforcement
36 minutes, 40 seconds
In this SAFLEO Podcast, Michon Morrow, a captain with the Lincoln, Nebraska, Police Department, has a conversation with Janet Sandman, retired captain, and Chris Davis, retired assistant police chief, about mindfulness through meditation and yoga. They discuss how mindfulness practices can benefit officers’ stress levels and mental health and increase their emotional intelligence during high-stress calls.
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Enhancing Resilience by Embracing Courageous Vulnerability
1 hour, 24 minutes, 29 seconds
It is okay not to be okay. For all officers, it is normal human behavior to be affected by traumatic events and experiences. An officer who chooses vulnerability and asks for help processing trauma is courageous. View this Web event and watch subject-matter experts as they discuss strategies for agencies to prepare and respond to courageous officers requesting assistance.
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The Cost of Alcohol as a Coping Mechanism
1 hour, 31 minutes, 3 seconds
Law enforcement officers throughout the nation are frequently exposed to traumatic events during their shift. There is a substantial cost when choosing to use alcohol to cope with or avoid these traumatic experiences. Watch this Web event to see both the short- and long-term effects of alcohol misuse, identify ways to treat alcohol use disorder, and replace alcohol abuse with healthy coping skills.
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What Is Mindfulness?
1 minute, 44 seconds
Mindfulness is the act of being present in the moment and includes positive techniques that promote health, stability, well-being, and inner peace. The focus of mindfulness is dwelling in the now and getting rid of what has been. Practicing mindfulness techniques can help you maintain your focus in critical situations and be alert to the present moment. Utilizing mindfulness techniques can help organize your thoughts, address complicated emotions, be present in mind and space, and center your focus in critical situations. Explore a variety of mindfulness traditions and look for something that works for you.
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Three Words
2 minutes, 37 seconds
As an officer, you help people in their darkest times. You have seen a lot of things in your career. Things you don’t want to talk about that are always with you. These memories can weigh you down over time. “I need help” are some of the most difficult but necessary words to say. It is your duty to help others, but also your duty to help yourself.
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Emerging Issues, Recommendations, and Considerations for Law Enforcement Organizations Presentation
55 minutes
An officer suicide can add layers of mental and physical stressors to the agency’s response. The information provided is based on research and professional experiences and will offer some best practices and considerations for the agency members and function, post-suicide.
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Building Barriers to Wellness
1 minute, 26 seconds
Are you building barriers to your own wellness? Do you allow yourself to make excuses to avoid things you don’t want to do? Stop building barriers to a healthier, happier you. Every time you make a positive choice for a healthier you, you stop another hurdle from being added to your path.
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The Dangers of Self-Medicating
2 minutes, 59 seconds
Positive and negative experiences shape who you are. The negatives you see on the job can pile up and weigh on you. Alcohol may seem like a good option to help carry the weight, but it hides the physical and emotional damage you may be doing by trying to handle it all on your own. Self-medicating is masking the problem, not solving it. Asking for help is a sign of courage. Don’t let the fear of how others may react stop you from seeking help.
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A Thousand Cuts
1 minute, 32 seconds
We all struggle with everyday stressors which can erode our physical health and resilience. Over time, the constant stressors may impact every part of who we are. You may reach a point where you struggle to find solutions. You need support. It’s important to make connections with fellow officers who may understand what you are going through. There is strength in seeking help.
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Stress Inoculation—Healthy Habits
9 minutes, 44 seconds
In this video, cardiologist and law enforcement officer Jonathan Sheinberg discusses the importance that sleep, nutrition, and fitness play in the long-term physical and mental health of law enforcement officers. Lieutenant Sheinberg shares the ways his agency has adjusted their daily habits to improve their overall health.
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Embracing Resiliency: Protect and Serve Yourself
17 minutes
Chief Luhnow highlights the importance of mental wellness and physical health as a law enforcement professional. She shares her experiences and the changes she made to be healthier, and the ways in which she hopes to guide officers in her agency to do the same.
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Stress Inoculation—Healthy Support
8 minutes, 27 seconds
You are not alone. Lewis Schlosser, Ph.D., is a certified police psychologist. He addresses the critical issue of officer wellness and officer suicide, aspects of these topics, and places you can seek support. There are culturally competent professionals waiting to help you. Make sure you do not suffer in silence. Ask for help when you need it. Police officers are fantastic at helping people. Learn to help yourself too.
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Executives and Mental Health
28 minutes, 1 second
In this SAFLEO Sessions Podcast, John Bouthillette, a lead instructor with the SAFLEO Program, has a conversation with Dr. Olivia Johnson, about the role of law enforcement leadership in officer mental health. They discuss how every executive has a responsibility to the health and safety of their officers and what that looks like in an organization.
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Debriefing Trauma
41 minutes, 35 seconds
In this SAFLEO Sessions Podcast, Chief Dan Stump (retired) with the SAFLEO Program has a conversation with Sergeant Matt Faulk of the Tucson, Arizona, Police Department about debriefing after a traumatic event. They discuss how the effects of a traumatic event linger well beyond the end of the actual event and how important and beneficial it is to debrief after such an event.
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Mid-Level Support Networks
39 minutes, 5 seconds
In this SAFLEO Podcast, Brandon Post, a captain with the Provo, Utah, Police Department, has a conversation with Matthew Faulk, a law enforcement and public service sector contractor, about mid-level leadership and mid-level support networks. They discuss how supervisors must take care of themselves first before they can take care of other people and where they can go to receive support.
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Developing Peer-to-Peer Support Groups
12 minutes, 1 second
In this SAFLEO Podcast, Floyd Wiley with the SAFLEO Program has a conversation with Officer George Mussini, a 22-year veteran of the Baltimore County, Maryland, Police Department, about a peer-to-peer support group Officer Mussini developed for his agency after he was involved in a critical incident. They discuss how peer-to-peer support is so important, some of the hurdles that they had to overcome to create an effective peer group, and how you can start one for your agency.
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Lessons Learned: Mental Wellness After a Critical Incident
54 minutes, 31 seconds
In this SAFLEO Podcast, Michon Morrow, captain at the Lincoln, Nebraska, Police Department with 23 years of experience, has a conversation with Lieutenant Mike Madden, who spent 28 years in law enforcement before retiring from the San Bernardino, California, Police Department. Lieutenant Madden worked in a variety of roles during his career and was amongst the first responding officers on the scene following the San Bernardino terrorist attack in 2015, a mass shooting at the Inland Regional Center. They discuss his journey in the aftermath of that attack, how it impacted him and his department, and the lessons that were learned.
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Professional Development and Wellness Programs
52 minutes, 20 seconds
In this SAFLEO podcast, Chief John Bouthillette, a lead instructor with the SAFLEO Program, has a conversation with retired Captain Brian Nanavaty, a 33-year veteran of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, about officer wellness programs and the process Captain Nanavaty went through in developing a wellness program for his department. They discuss the “why,” personal survival, preventative maintenance, and the leadership it takes to develop a program that will benefit your officers.
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Five Impediments to Success in Law Enforcement
46 minutes, 1 second
In this SAFLEO Podcast, Chief John Bouthillette, a lead instructor with the SAFLEO Program, has a conversation with retired Captain Brian Nanavaty, a 33-year veteran of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, about five factors that are barriers to the success of law enforcement officers and how to overcome those challenges.
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Smash the Stigma
22 minutes, 31 seconds
In this podcast, Floyd Wiley, a lead instructor with the VALOR Program, is joined by John Bouthillette, a retired chief of police from the South River, New Jersey, Police Department and a lead instructor for the SAFLEO and VALOR Programs. They discuss the concept of smashing the stigma and how it is important for leaders to establish an organizational culture of safety and wellness in their agencies.
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Compartmentalization
25 minutes, 18 seconds
Compartmentalization is a necessary skill in law enforcement to be able to continue to operate. In this SAFLEO Sessions Podcast, Chief John Bouthillette, a lead instructor with the SAFLEO Program, has a conversation with Captain Brandon Post from the Provo, Utah, Police Department about a critical incident in Captain Post’s career. Officers are often involved in events that are extremely emotionally impactful. These incidents have a cumulative impact and can affect you when you do not expect it.
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Empowering Support Systems to Recognize, Identify, and Act On Concerning Behavior
49 minutes, 8 seconds
This webinar is the first of a four-part series that provides an officer’s support systems (e.g., peers, agency members, family members, and friends) with ways to identify and address “concerning” behaviors before they result in negative and life-altering outcomes. The webinar works through scenarios using four key questions and conversation starters to use in real life.
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Adopting Employee Wellness Initiatives Post-Critical Incident
22 minutes, 2 seconds
In this podcast, David Flory, lead instructor with the VALOR Program, talks to Captain Michon Morrow and Sergeant Angela Sands of the Lincoln, Nebraska Police Department. They discuss Sergeant Sands's experience following a shooting. She struggled not only with physical injuries but emotional and mental struggles. Hear how Captain Morrow was a saving force for her and how her department helped her recover and work through the struggles she was facing. They talk about the stigma surrounding mental health and how to eliminate those stigmas.
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Re-Committing to Your Physical Health
21 minutes
Assistant Chief Tchida speaks on his personal health and fitness journey, working to lose over one hundred pounds. He discusses his motivation, journey, and the positive impact it had on his agency, family, and self.
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Healthy Relationship With Food
15 minutes
How many of us have gone on a diet and lost weight, only to gain it all back plus a few pounds? What went wrong? Chief John Bouthillette, a lead instructor with the VALOR Program, has a conversation with Lieutenant Brandon Post of the Provo, Utah, Police Department about “diets” and positive long-term lifestyle changes to help improve your quality of life and meet your health goals.
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Sleep Deprivation
1 minute, 8 seconds
Lack of sleep can negatively your health, safety, and job performance. Make it a priority to get the proper amount of sleep.
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Strength Training and Functional Fitness
21 minutes
Officer health and injuries should be a concern for all law enforcement officers and departments. Strength training not only helps muscles but also bones, joints, and tendons. In this episode, Chief John Bouthillette, a lead instructor with the VALOR Program, has a conversation with Lieutenant Brandon Post of the Provo, Utah, Police Department to discuss how strength training can reduce the risk of injury, increase balance and flexibility, increase overall health, and allow you to change or sculpt your body shape. They also discuss starting a home gym, “functional fitness,” and other strength-training programs.
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Healthy Hire - Healthy Retire
30 minutes
In this episode of the VALOR Voices podcast, Captain Brian Nanavaty of the Indianapolis, Indiana, Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) discusses officer wellness and resiliency. Captain Nanavaty details why agencies need to be proactive and implement wellness programs for their officers.
