Marine Corps Community Services’ Post

With regard to National Guard service members and their partners, this study sought to identify subgroups impacted by deployments connected to conflict. Learn more about Dr. David L. Albright at https://lnkd.in/gpQxePuJ #DrDavidLAlbright #Research #Deployment #NationalGuard #Psychological

With regard to National Guard service members and their partners, this study sought to identify subgroups impacted by deployments connected to conflict. Learn more about Dr. David L. Albright at https://lnkd.in/giBMbdyR #DrDavidLAlbright #Research #Deployment #NationalGuard #Psychological

Professionals dedicated to the well-being of children, psychologists, mental health professionals, and teachers must be well-versed in the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. This legal framework is designed to protect children from sexual abuse, define offences, prescribe penalties, and provide child-friendly procedures for reporting and trial. Awareness empowers us to recognize signs of abuse, support victims sensitively, and ensure compliance with reporting obligations. By understanding the POCSO Act, we play a vital role in safeguarding children and creating safer educational environments. I curated the information about the POCSO Act. Sharing the document here.

For EVERYONE in a first responder role, if you have not yet met Elizabeth Pol, M.A. at Resilient Heroes it could be detrimental to your health or the health and well being of your colleagues. She has taken on the task of educating about how suicide kills more first responders annually than deaths in the line of duty. Have you stopped to think about that? You and your families worry about the very dangerous tasks that you deal with on a daily basis, putting yourselves in harms way. Have you stopped to take your mental health into consideration? Do you know where to find the necessary resources to address your mental health?

Shout out to my newest connection here on LinkedIn, Elizabeth Pol, M.A., on the publication of her article on the value of psychological autopsies (PA) when a law enforcement officer dies by suicide. With both fire departments and EMS agencies experiencing growing numbers of personnel dying from suicide, why aren't we investigating these deaths using PA? Here's an except from her piece: The Psychological Suicide Autopsies are meant to answer 3 questions: Why Suicide? Why that day? Why those means? As we interview the various individuals closest to the deceased officer/first responder we are able to gather vital information that provides a narrative to better understand what occurred in this individual`s life. Information such as trauma, alcohol use/abuse, sleep deprivation, stress, interpersonal relationships, finances, coping skills, physical health, legal troubles, mental health issues, Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI), and the mismanaged use of psychotropic medications are key pieces of information that portray how an individual reached this point in their life. After gathering all of the data we are able to piece together and understand all of the risk factors that were present and how the decedent struggled with pain, lacked resources, experienced diminished or absent protective factors (such as support systems), psychological and physiological disturbances etc. Although the psych autopsy will not change the outcome, it does give some closure to family and friends and most importantly it gives us the opportunity to learn from these tragedies. Fire Service Psychology Association- Admin Fire & EMS Leader Pro

The old adage holds true: “If you don’t take care of yourself, you can’t effectively care for others.” Probation officers are exposed to repeated stress and trauma (both primary and secondary) throughout their careers. These public servants are required to perform standard “law-enforcement” functions, while also supporting rehabilitative efforts and establishing strong working relationships with formerly incarcerated individuals and their families. The job requires a unique knowledge of law and human behavior — and although the duties can be extremely rewarding — the position is also physically, mentally, and emotionally taxing. Probation officers serve as the “eyes and ears” of the court (or releasing authority) and they assume a high-level of responsibility for managing risk to the public and addressing the human service needs of persons realeased to the comminty. For perspective — in an 8-hour timeframe — a probation officer might: 1) Meet with a person under supervision to celebrate their success in substance use treatment; 2) Find housing and food options for a person who was just released from incarceration; 3) Draft a warrant for an individual who poses imminent risk to the community, and 4) Help a person on their caseload understand the impact of thinking on antisocial behavior (i.e., cognitive-behavioral interventions). Keep in mind, all this is occurring in challenging budgetary times where a general officer’s caseload can reach 100 people or more (depending on the agency’s size and location). Probation officers don’t get enough credit for the critical services that they offer to society — but I’m glad to see San Diego County prioritizing their well-being through formalized policies. I hope more agencies follow suit.

How do we protect First Responders from the public whom they are here to serve?

Preventing Substance Use Disorders Among Military Youth Overview The 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health revealed that 1.2 million adolescents aged 12-17 were reported to have a substance use disorder (SUD). We must consider this concerning number as we look to support the children of those who served or are serving in the military. The Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC) reports that there are almost 2 million children of service members on active duty in the National Guard and Reserves. Additionally, it is estimated that 2 million youth have parents who are post-9/11 Veterans. These children have added stressors due to the service requirements of their parents or caretakers that put them more at risk. This learning community will focus on the behavioral health needs of military-affiliated children, underscore the importance of understanding risk and protective factors, illustrate ways to offer support through community efforts, and provide tools and resources to navigate the myriad of supports available. This learning community will provide participants with an opportunity to learn with a small group in an interactive setting.

As back to school season 🏫 approaches, behavioral threat assessment and early intervention are crucial to consider when it comes to #SchoolSafety and #StudentMentalHealth. Read more how your school can help prevent violence and address potential threats. 👉 https://bit.ly/3xZGEVZ #BacktoSchool #SchoolSafetyTechnology #SafetyDrills #RaptorTechnologies