Date of Conferral

2022

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Public Health

Advisor

Chester Jones

Abstract

The emotional and mental health of public safety personnel has been a topic that is continuing to receive attention. Being exposed to multiple traumatic events takes a mental and emotional toll on those who place their lives in harm’s way to help others. The study was based on social cognitive theory which focused on self-efficacy through social influences and environment. The purpose of this study was to understand the experience of public safety personnel’s training regarding their perceptions to mitigate emotional stress; the experience of public safety personnel with seeking mental health services; experience of public safety personnel with the stigma of receiving mental health services; the experience of public safety personnel’s use of online social networks for emotional support; and the experience of peer-to-peer online support for mental health and receiving mental health services. The research design was basic qualitative with an open-ended questionnaire through a link placed into public safety Facebook groups. Nvivo software was used to code and identify themes for interpretation. The results showed inadequate initial and ongoing mental health training along with negative experiences when seeking mental health services. Mental health stigma has changed, but some participants still felt there was a stigma with seeking mental health services. Peer-to-Peer online support had positive results toward mental health when participants felt stigma amongst coworkers. Findings may be used for positive social change by providing adequate initial mental health training needs. Online peer-to-peer support may be the first step if a person is not ready to seek professional help and public safety personnel need specialized mental health due to the type of traumas they are exposed to each shift.

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