From our research, we synthesized several insights:
1) Resources are available to police officers facing work stress or trauma, but they are little known and not a familiar practice for the officers to take advantage of.
2) The idea of obtaining and receiving mental health assistance is culturally unsupported in a series of levels starting with the general culture and moving into the department through to the shift to an officer's work partner and ultimately effects the officer's view on mental health.
3) Early intervention and education about mental health creates a foundation for mental health.
Insights:
Solution:
We designed a program to be implemented during training at the academy in which cadets were led by a trauma specialist through a scenario they might confront while in the field. After the simulation, key events were highlighted as potentially traumatic and discussed. They were given a list of resources customized to their specified departments and educated on how to contact them and set-up an appointment. We also recommended the development of an app that would prompt officers to reflect on their emotional state before their shift each day and recommend options for assistance if they needed it.
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UX Researcher and Designer
Role:
Client/User:
University of Texas Police Department
Description:
A mental health awareness program that focuses on early education of rookie officers before they enter the line of duty. This 3-day training highlights possible events and stresses officers might face while on the job and teaches them strategies on how to cope personally and professionally. The program is run by a licensed trauma therapist, emphasizes the importance of a community of support, and provides connection to resources ultimately seeking to normalize mental healthcare within police culture.
Using both qualitative and quantitative methods of research, we:
1) Visited the police station to immerse ourselves in the work environment and culture of a police department, observing the relationships, physical environment, and visual information posted about mental health resources.
2) Conducted in-depth interviews with police officers and first responders to learn the existing stresses and resources given to address mental health within a police department. We also gathered qualitative information of interpersonal relationships and overall views of mental health maintenance.
Research Methods:
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Project Type:
Date:
Location:
Service Design
December 2023
Austin, Texas
Goal:
How might we create a service that promotes mental health awareness to improve the wellbeing of officers at the University of Texas Police Department surrounded by a long standing attitude within traditional police departments about mental health that deters officers from seeking assistance while they are experiencing mental health stress that might deter them from using the resources already provided by the department and a lack of education surrounding the mental health resources that enables those who need them to not utilize them.
Approach:
Intervene early in the training of police offices to provide a solid foundation of mental health awareness, access to support resources and normalize self care.
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Mental Heath Training
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