Symposium on Conscious Law Enforcement & Inclusive Practices

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Mental Health Risk Factors Associated with Trauma, Substance Use and Suicide among Police Officers

Working Session Description

Emotional and psychological trauma impacts the lives of millions on a daily basis. Because police officers and other first responders are more likely to be exposed to and encounter traumatic incidents than the general population, it is important that they understand trauma and how it can affect their ability to function. This workshop on trauma, addiction and suicide will assist those in law enforcement and public safety positions to gain an understanding of what is trauma and how it manifests including; identifying signs and symptoms, maladaptive coping through addiction, suicidal thinking and behavior. Effective treatment modalities for trauma and substance abuse will be presented and discussed. Suicide intervention and prevention strategies will also be addressed and discussed. The workshop will be of benefit to individuals in law enforcement and public safety positions, including police officers, deputy sheriffs/correctional officers, firefighters and other first responders. Clinicians and therapists who provide services to these individuals will also greatly benefit from the workshop. Members of the community who support and provide resources to individuals in law enforcement and public safety positions will find the workshops to be most helpful.

Working Session Call-To-Action

1. To define trauma, and disorders related to trauma, such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
2. To recognize signs and symptoms of trauma
3. To understand how trauma affects individual and group functioning, particularly those in law enforcement and public safety positions
4. To identify maladaptive coping mechanisms
5. To learn protective and risk factors for suicidal thinking and behavior
6. To understand addiction in law enforcement and public safety
7. To gain knowledge of effective treatment modalities

Presenter(s)

Dr. Daniel L. Hollar

Dr. Daniel Hollar, Ph.D., an Assistant Professor of Psychology and Department Chair of the Department of Behavior and Social Science Studies at Bethune-Cookman University in Daytona Beach, FL has a breadth of clinical and research experience with law enforcement agencies and personnel regarding suicide, trauma, and risk prevention. He has worked alongside law enforcement professionals, providing individual and group therapy, competency evaluation and training, mental status evaluations for involuntary commitments, and expert testimony in the State of Florida. Additionally, he has 15 years of psychological assessment experience in conducting IQ, memory, and learning disability assessments as well as mental status and sex offender evaluations. He's published "Suicide and Eating Disordered Behavior among Individuals of African Descent", as well as a book chapter on "The Assessment, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Psychiatric Disorders in African American Clients" and co-authored multiple articles. Dr. Hollar currently works with law enforcement on reducing mental health risk factors related to trauma and suicide for police officers. His research is aimed at improving the recruitment, training, and screening of culturally competent officers for 21st century policing. For more information, please visit www.daningersolutions.com

Moderators(s)

Moderator A

Moderator B