What is Peer Support?
Living in today’s world is hard enough. Add the challenges and severe stress of being a Westminster PD employee and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Often times talking things out with a trusted peer can go a long way towards easing the burden. Aside from any law or policy violations, all conversations with Peer Support members are completely confidential. The program does not report to the administration.
All Peer Support members have received training from Browers Psychological, though we are not trained therapists. We will listen, provide support, assistance and referral when necessary. Peer Support members want to be helpful to you in any way possible.
We are here to help everyone, not only sworn employees but civilians as well! We are available to work alongside you to help resolve and support you through issues that affect your health, family and potentially your career.
When is it appropriate to contact Peer Support?
We all go through hard times through out lives. Family problems, marital strife, times of grief, loss or sadness. Other times we face work stress, planning for retirement, injuries or health issues.
- Depression, Stress & Anxiety - Officers, detectives and dispatchers can suffer from PTSD or have a specific stress reaction to a disturbing incident. That is your body’s natural response to the incident and it is normal. With proactive work, these disturbing incidents and images can be dealt with and will not disrupt our daily lives.
- Legal & Financial Problems - Legal and financial strain are often a cause of stress in our lives. If not resolved these problems can lead to sleep deprivation, anxiety and can affect our personal lives and job performance.
- Alcohol Problems - Those who suffer from alcohol problems deserve complete assistance in the restoration of life, health and productivity. Alcohol problems can affect families and the family will receive assistance as well.
- Grief, Loss and Health - All three are burdens that we can’t bear alone. Peer Support offers understanding and listening. A Peer Support member might have been through a similar experience.
- Family Issues - Officers may have a hard time transitioning from work life to home life whether that’s with their spouses or children. It is important to address family issues early on and to not ignore them until there’s too much damage.
- Critical Incidents - Peer Support members will respond to critical incidents such as officer involved shootings or incidents involving employee death. These situations can be highly stressful but Peer
Support is here to help and support you.
