Police Officer | iStock – Jacob Wackerhausen
It’s time to flip the script by providing support for police officers, military members, and other first responders.
You probably could have guessed this, but being a police officer is stressful. Men and women put their lives on the line, impacting their mental health. Officers in Florida want to show that it’s okay to ask for help by wrapping police SUV with supportive messages.
Florida officers wrap Police SUV for mental health
Officers are wrapping police SUV in Sebastian, Florida, with positive messages to support mental health awareness. One Ford Explorer says, “It’s OK to ask for Help” to share the message with first responders and residents.
Interactions with people experiencing a mental health crisis are a routine occurrence among emergency officials. They spend hours of training to become prepared for complex situations. No two calls are the same.
The Ford Expedition also says, “You are not alone” with law enforcement and military imagery. The message is equally targeted at police officers who are exposed to potentially traumatic incidents.
Lieutenant Rober Vafiades shared that this initiative gives “support and assistance to department members following traumatic incidents encountered in the line of duty.”
About 15 to 30% of police officers and 20% of first responders screen positive for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This is compared to 6.8% for the general public.
According to TC Palm, the project took about two months and cost $3,000. Funding was provided by individuals and businesses who donate to the department’s Community Oriented Police Endeavor, which supports community events and programs.
The wrap was applied to a previously used department Explorer model by a business in Palm Bay. Also, the designs were created by COPE members and approved by the Chief of Police.