Mental Health Treatment Reported by US Workers before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic: United States (2019-2020).

The COVID-19 pandemic introduced a significant and unprecedented exacerbation of community mental health challenges. We compared the prevalence of mental health treatment (MHT) before and during the COVID-19 pandemic among US workers. Self-reported MHT data (N = 30,680) were obtained from the Sample Adult data of the National Health Interview Survey (2019 and 2020). MHT was defined as having taken prescription medications for mental health issues or receiving counseling from a mental health professional in the past 12 months. We calculated age-adjusted prevalence estimates and employed t-tests to compare MHT in 2019 and 2020 using SAS-callable SUDAAN 11.0. The prevalence of MHT significantly increased from 16.3% in 2019 to 17.6% in 2020 (difference = 1.3, p = 0.030). The prevalence of taking prescription medications for mental health issues significantly increased in 2020 compared to 2019 (12.5% to 13.6%, difference = 1.1, p = 0.037). The prevalence of receiving counseling significantly increased but only among those who worked 30-49 h/week, difference = 1.2, p = 0.022. US workers, especially those with typical work hours, appeared to experience higher mental distress during the first year of the pandemic compared to the year prior to the pandemic period. These findings highlight the need for targeted interventions to address mental health issues in these workers.

Proportionate mortality and national rate of death from COVID-19 among US law enforcement officers: 2020.

Purpose ­: The goal of the present study is to determine the proportionate mortality and national rate of duty-related deaths from COVID-19 among US law enforcement officers during the year 2020. Design/methodology/approach ­: Data for the current study were obtained from the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial Fund (NLEOMF) database for the year 2020. The database contains deaths designated as caused by incidents that occurred while in the line of duty. The chi-square test and two-sample t-test were used to compare characteristics of officers who died of COVID-19 versus other causes of death. Both the proportionate mortality and rates of death were calculated. To compute the rate of death, the authors obtained data on the total number of law enforcement officers employed in the United States (and therefore at risk) for the year 2020 from Bureau of Labor Statistics. Findings ­: COVID-19 deaths (n = 182) accounted for 62% of all duty-related law enforcement officer deaths during 2020. The national rate of death due to COVID-19 (12.8/100,000 per year) for law enforcement officers was higher compared to all other causes of death combined (8.0/100,000 per year). Research limitations/implications ­: A limitation of the study is the uncertainty of a definitive assessment that the viral infection was acquired through work (versus at home or other non-work-related community settings). Although highly unlikely, deaths designated as duty related entail financial benefits for the survivors and may be a potential source of bias. Given the complexity of personal exposures, the percentage of COVID-19 deaths attributed to duty may represent an over or under estimation of the actual value. Therefore, the data should be interpreted cautiously. Practical implications ­: These findings provide police organizations with information needed to understand the risk of death among officers during the COVID-19 pandemic and to make informed decisions about future preparedness strategies. Originality/value ­: There are presently no published scientific studies that examine both the proportionate mortality and national rate of death from COVID-19 among law enforcement officers for the year 2020.

Occupation under siege: Resolving mental health crises in police work

The book is based on research associated with police mental health together with the subsequent effects on officer's performance, physical health, and lifestyle. It outlines the current challenges face by police, increased civil unrest, negative public reactions, and a biological siege brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. These events have caused personnel shortages, long work hours, and psychological and physical assaults upon the police. The book turns to the present mental health status of police officers. Posttraumatic Stress (PTSD) and depression appear to be prevalent in police. Police officers are repeatedly exposed to traumatic situations including motor vehicle accidents, armed conflicts, and witnessing violent death across their working lives. Depression and PTSD are often found together in officers. Several studies on police have found the prevalence of depression to be approximately 12% which is nearly twice as high as the general population. Both depression and PTSD promote poor health through a complex interaction between biological and psychological mechanisms. In today's societal and politically conflicted environment, the police are caught between the requirements of the job and the ability to fulfill these requirements. The book discusses the effects of police stress and trauma on physical health. The stress and trauma that police face can eventually wear down the body's defense against disease. The book discusses resilience and its role in ameliorating stress. Resilience is simply defined as bouncing back from adversity. There are, however, many dimensions of resiliency to consider. The book asks the question, "Where do we go from here?" It also discusses current legislation which will help police deal with the problem of psychological, physical health, and suicide. The book will help researchers and those dedicated officers who go out every day and "drive and walk the beat". It is those officers who bear the brunt of policing. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved)

Dying for the job: police mortality, 1950-2018.

Purpose ­: This study is a mortality assessment on police officers (68-years, 1950-2018) and includes all causes of death. Design/methodology/approach ­: The authors investigated 1,853 police deaths (1950-2018) using sources of mortality that included the National Death Index, NY State, and available records from the Buffalo NY police department. Standardized Mortality Ratios were calculated. Death codes were obtained from 8th and 9th International Classification of Disease revisions in accordance with the year of death. Findings ­: Compared to the US general population, white male police officers from 1950-2018 had elevated mortality rates for some causes of death, including diseases of the circulatory system, malignant neoplasms, cirrhosis of the liver, and mental disorders. Black and female officers had lower mortality rates for all causes of death compared to the general population. Research limitations/implications ­: The findings of elevated risk for chronic disease among police need to be studied in relation to stress, lifestyle, and exposure to chemical and physical agents. There is a special need to further study officers from minority populations as larger samples become available. Practical implications ­: The results of this study will provide police and occupational health practitioners with objective evidence to determine the health impact of work on law enforcement officers. Originality/value ­: This study is longest running mortality assessment on police officers ever conducted (1950-2018) and includes white, black, and female officers.