Content area
Full Text
Introduction
Mental illness, including but not limited to mood and anxiety disorders, personality disorders, and post-traumatic stress, is often associated with varying levels of stigmatization throughout our communities. The World Health Organization (WHO) (2001) defines stigma as “a mark of shame, disgrace or disapproval which results in an individual being rejected, discriminated against…” (p.16) and has concluded that it is the most significant and common barrier that impacts the likelihood of individuals seeking mental health services and support (see also, Corrigan 2004). This treatment gap stems from factors such as lack of knowledge regarding mental illness symptoms, how to access treatment, prejudicial attitudes, and discrimination against people with mental health issues, and they all influence stigma prevalence (Hanisch et al. 2016).
While rates vary, based on one USA national survey of mental health consumers, one in four reported mental health-related stigma (Wahl 1999). Stigma has been identified as particularly evident in first responders and the military, with rates similar across these occupational groups (Haugen et al. 2017). A meta-analytic review of the literature found that around one in three first responders, including police, experience mental health stigma (Haugen et al. 2017; Wheeler et al. 2018). This paper is specifically focused on mental health stigma within policing.
Mental health help-seeking in police organizations has been found to be significantly, negatively impacted by the perceived and real impact of stigma that police officers experience in police organizations (Karaffa and Tochkov 2013). Perceived peer and organizational stigma are associated with decreased help-seeking, leading to poorer mental outcomes for officers (Wheeler et al. 2018). However, it must be noted that the empirical literature on first responders with regard to stigma and barriers to care is limited. Haugen et al. (2017) systematic review of relevant empirical literature identified only 14 studies (including 6 dissertations). The first study appeared in 2001 and more than half of available articles have been published from 2012 onwards. Police studies were the most common of the 14 studies, with 9 studies involving police.
The current research seeks to contribute to the limited research on this critical topic. It represents a significant contribution as it includes a nationwide study of USA sworn law enforcement personnel (i.e., officers who have a badge, have arrest powers and carry...