Date of Conferral

7-13-2026

Date of Award

July 2026

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Psychology

Advisor

Dana Shelton

Abstract

Due to the traumatic and repetitive nature of law enforcement work, mental health support is often needed by officers, but is not consistently sought. Law enforcement leaders need to understand this concern as a leading indicator of workforce well-being, organizational effectiveness, and officers’ willingness to seek needed mental health support. Guided by the conceptual framework of Rickwood and Thomas’s help-seeking behaviors, the purpose of this descriptive phenomenological study was to explore law enforcement officers’ lived experiences of help-seeking behaviors for emotional and mental health issues. Data were collected through six semistructured interviews with current law enforcement officers in four different U.S. agencies. Four primary themes emerged from the thematic analysis: (a) organizational support and comprehensive training for mental health, (b) essential access to mental health services and desired programming, (c) strengthening support systems, and (d) navigating stigma and increasing awareness of mental health needs. Findings indicated that while officers recognize the importance of mental health support, barriers, such as stigma, concerns about confidentiality, and limited organizational resources, deter help-seeking behaviors. Officers emphasized the need for accessible services, increased leadership training and support, and family-focused training. The results contribute to a deeper understanding of how organizational culture influences help-seeking behaviors among law enforcement. Implications for tangible social impact include the potential for law enforcement leaders to develop more accessible, desirable, and culturally responsive mental health programs and policies that support officer well-being and enhance organizational effectiveness.

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