Editor’s note: How does your agency measure up when it comes to wellness? Lexipol’s Wellness solutions help agencies deliver anonymous, 24/7 support, enhance peer support team readiness, and build a culture of wellness. Contact Lexipol at 844-312-9500 to learn more or request a demo.
“What’s the worst thing you’ve ever seen?” is a question from well-meaning friends and family, and even strangers at a social event, that is all too familiar to police officers.
This episode of The Brief: Wellness Edition Emily Hitchings and Greg Friese dive into how first responders manage deeply personal questions about their toughest experiences. They highlight the emotional impact such questions can have, the importance of setting respectful boundaries and the value of humor as a coping and educational tool.
Instead of brushing off, “what’s the worst thing,” or “have you ever shot someone,” use thoughtful storytelling to encourage understanding and empathy for your service. Storytelling is also a method to approach the general public’s natural curiosity about your work with sensitivity and care.
Listen to their discussion and read other things we wish the public knew about policing.
| READ 15 things cops wish the public knew about policing
“I reframe it and say, I don’t like talking about that. How about I tell you some of the funny things?”
About The Brief: Wellness Edition
The Brief: Wellness Edition video series explores the wellness implications of current events for public safety professionals. Each episode brings a timely conversation that connects unfolding events to the day-to-day realities of first responders.
