Event Title
The Effectiveness of Wellness Programs within Police Departments at Addressing Police Officer Health
Description
PURPOSE: This study identifies the wellness services offered through various West Michigan police departments and the extent to which they meet the needs of police department staff. SUBJECTS: Eight different departments across two counties in West Michigan, Kent and Ottawa, were the study participants. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A 33-quesstion survey was administered and asked questions related to physical fitness, stress management, mental health, nutrition and diet, alcohol and substance use, and overall wellness. ANALYSES: The data from the surveys was analyzed using descriptive statistics. Percentages were used to summarize the data. RESULTS: Results indicated that police departments offer services in stress management and mental health, but physical fitness, nutrition and diet, and alcohol and substance use services/programs are not as prevalent. Results also showed that most departments do not have a comprehensive wellness program that offers service in five major areas of health: physical fitness, stress management, mental health, alcohol and drug use, and nutrition and diet. CONCLUSIONS: The role of public health is to create local awareness in the areas that are currently lacking in West Michigan police departments: physical fitness, nutrition and diet, and alcohol and substance use. Future research should focus on the impacts of implementing services/programs in the five areas of health that were assessed in this study. Results could increase the understanding and importance of the impact of implementing comprehensive wellness programs among a population that desperately needs support in multiple areas of health.
The Effectiveness of Wellness Programs within Police Departments at Addressing Police Officer Health
PURPOSE: This study identifies the wellness services offered through various West Michigan police departments and the extent to which they meet the needs of police department staff. SUBJECTS: Eight different departments across two counties in West Michigan, Kent and Ottawa, were the study participants. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A 33-quesstion survey was administered and asked questions related to physical fitness, stress management, mental health, nutrition and diet, alcohol and substance use, and overall wellness. ANALYSES: The data from the surveys was analyzed using descriptive statistics. Percentages were used to summarize the data. RESULTS: Results indicated that police departments offer services in stress management and mental health, but physical fitness, nutrition and diet, and alcohol and substance use services/programs are not as prevalent. Results also showed that most departments do not have a comprehensive wellness program that offers service in five major areas of health: physical fitness, stress management, mental health, alcohol and drug use, and nutrition and diet. CONCLUSIONS: The role of public health is to create local awareness in the areas that are currently lacking in West Michigan police departments: physical fitness, nutrition and diet, and alcohol and substance use. Future research should focus on the impacts of implementing services/programs in the five areas of health that were assessed in this study. Results could increase the understanding and importance of the impact of implementing comprehensive wellness programs among a population that desperately needs support in multiple areas of health.