Author(s):
Knut Latscha

Institution:
Hochschule für Polizei Baden-Württemberg

Title:
Mental illness, burnout and suicidal tendencies among police officers in Baden-Württemberg – a critical analysis

Abstract:
Mental disorders and diseases are not uncommon even within the police organization. How many police officers actually suffer from mental illness is not well known, as there has been no comprehensive studies in this area. The article analyzes data based on two studies performed amongst the police of Baden-Württemberg, and tries to answer the question of how often police officers suffer of have suffered from mental illness, how high their risk of burnout is, and how this could possibly have an impact on the suicidality within their profession. It was found that one in five police officers suffer or have suffered from mental illness, and that every third is exposed to an increased risk of burnout. Noteworthy here is the age distribution of the disease. With increasing age the risk to develop the disease seems to rise. This also has an impact on suicide rates. Despite the potential methodological shortcomings of the individual studies, the results should stimulate debate, and appropriate action should be taken to take serious and strengthen the mental health of all police officers nationwide, even if these are results of a single federal state.

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