Mentor Police Look To Promote Mental, Physical Health Among Officers

MENTOR, OH — Mentor will use a $26,000 grant to address the mental and physical health of the city's police officers.

Mentor's police well-being program actually started with the help of funds from the Department of Justice. During Phase 1, Mentor Police built partnerships with Energetic Foundation and Crossroads Health and then certified five officers as peer supports and one as a personal trainer, the city said.

During Phase II of the program, Mentor Police will continue to educate its peer supporters and personal trainer, and will also offer physical and mental wellness training and support. Officials hope Phase II will create autonomy for the project and make the in-house wellness program "robust" and "cost-effective."

As part of the Phase II program, officers can work one-on-one with a tactical strength and conditioning specialist, participate in monthly group exercises or education sessions. Anonymous counseling services and educational seminars will also be available to participating officers.

"Officers will also have access to a wellness application that can be downloaded on their mobile devices to provide customized nutrition, exercise routines, mental health education, and wellness videos that are available at their fingertips," the city of Mentor said in a statement.

One of the primary concerns of the program is addressing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Many Americans associate PTSD with military service, but the disorder commonly develops after traumatic events in law enforcement as well.

"Studies have linked PTSD to physical morbidity in the form of hypertension, musculoskeletal pain, obesity, cardiovascular disease, panic attacks, phobias, mania, substance abuse, and increased risk of suicide. An impermeable stigma around mental health and wellness has kept thousands of law enforcement officers from receiving preventative and rehabilitative care," the city of Mentor said in a statement.