“Can I be a police officer if I have anxiety?” “What if I struggle with depression? Will I even get hired by a police department?” Althea Olson, LCSW, and Officer Mike Wasilewski, LCSW, are here to help answer these important questions. Althea and Mike have been married since 1994. Althea is a social worker in private practice at Fox Bend Counseling in Oswego (Illinois). Mike works full-time as a police officer for a large suburban Chicago agency, and part-time as a social worker with Fox Bend Counseling. They write on a wide range of topics including officer wellness, relationships, mental health, morale and ethics. Their writing led to them developing More Than A Cop, and they have traveled the country as police trainers teaching “survival skills off the street.
This episode starts with a focus on the prospects for those looking to get into law enforcement and who struggle with General Anxiety Disorder. We then move to a discussion on the prevalence of anxiety disorders and depression among police officers and what to do about it. Enjoy the show and remember, you’re probably not the only one so don’t be afraid to ask for help!
Show links:
To reach Mike and Althea:
morethanacop.com
morethanacop@gmail.com
The Happiness Trap by Russ Harris
Brene Brown TED talk: https://www.ted.com/talks/brene_brown_on_vulnerability?language=en
Related Articles:
https://www.poam.net/lris-disability-issues/anxiety-disorder-disqualifies-police-officer-job/
https://www.nami.org/Personal-Stories/Police-Officers-Need-Help-Too#
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