Peer Support, Let’s talk about it…

If you did not know, Peer Support Units are a thing. Maybe you know what peer support is, perhaps you do not, or maybe you do not care. Well, let’s talk about it.

What is it?

Peer support is how it sounds. It is peer-to-peer, colleague-to-colleague conversations. Peer support is not a newly developed idea; it has organically been taking place since the beginning of law enforcement. Law enforcement professionals have been sharing their struggles, concerns, and frustrations with other law enforcement professionals they trust for years.

What does a Peer Support Unit Member do?

Simply stated, a member is available, ready, and willing to listen. They are available to their peers to assist and provide resources as needed after a critical incident or high-stress event. Although more importantly, they are available before any event like that even takes place. A member is someone you can have a casual conversation with, or an in-depth discussion. The discussion could be on the stressors of life such as depression, anxiety, and marital or financial complications, and then make appropriate referrals as needed. Although, keep in mind that a member is not a counselor or trained to be one.

Why is it effective?

Law enforcement professionals are statistically more likely to converse with someone they feel understands their profession and their struggles. Peer support provides a unique opportunity for a peer to speak with another trained peer who can help in a non-judgmental and confidential way.

How can it be used?

There are a couple of ways peer support can be used and that will vary depending on the agency or department. Although, the general idea is that any employee can contact a Peer Support Member and request assistance or support from the Unit at any time. It may also be following a critical incident or high-stress event at the request of the agency/department command staff.

Despite how peer support is used, the key is that it is used. There are resources available; make use of them! Gone are the days of isolation and the old mentality of “stow it,” “stuff it,” “stack it,” or “pull yourself up by your bootstraps.” Statistically, this mindset has proven to be ineffective and will, 100% of the time manifest into a presenting concern causing further complications.