SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – Mental health experts recommend employees exposed to stressful work-related experiences find healthy ways to process their emotions.

One can only imagine the photographs of crime scenes, standoffs, crashes, and violence that a police officer has to face, “after which how do they go home and address the stress that they’ve seen that day,” said Licensed Skilled Counselor Holly Merrick-Liston with Yellow Brick Road Counseling.

Merrick-Liston says Law enforcement and firefighters have “a special trauma that they experienced almost on a day by day basis most probably, .”

Without processing those experiences, and finding healthy outlets to alleviate the stress, there may very well be trouble ahead. “Possibly, , go to alcohol or porn or gambling or whatever. Simply to form of take the main target off. It looks as if it could form of sneak up on you want I’ll just do it one time,” said Merrick-Liston.

Merrick-Liston says there’s a method to reframe negative experiences being replayed in a single’s mind, “You’re gonna at all times have that memory of it. But now you’ll be able to feel higher emotionally about that have.”

Sioux Falls Police Officers not required to hunt mental health checkups

Having a solid support system, knowing who’s there for you, could make a difference before things worsen.

The Fraternal order of police reveals there are resources for officers. The town’s worker assistance program offers individual therapy sessions. A peer support team meets frequently and might suggest further follow-up if needed.

Although there’s also a mental health screening before being hired. Once an officer is on the job, there is no such thing as a mandatory mental health check-up. Should a concerning circumstance develop, therapy could also be suggested to an officer.

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