Chicago Launches New Pilot Programs To Support Police Officers’ Mental Health

Police face regular stress and trauma on the job, which can lead to mental health struggles for officers and negative outcomes for the communities they serve.

Racial Injustice Chicago
A Chicago police officer wipes his face at a Health Care Justice demonstration rally in Chicago, Saturday, June 27, 2020. Nam Y. Huh / ASSOCIATED PRESS
Racial Injustice Chicago
A Chicago police officer wipes his face at a Health Care Justice demonstration rally in Chicago, Saturday, June 27, 2020. Nam Y. Huh / ASSOCIATED PRESS

Chicago Launches New Pilot Programs To Support Police Officers’ Mental Health

Police face regular stress and trauma on the job, which can lead to mental health struggles for officers and negative outcomes for the communities they serve.

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The city of Chicago on Tuesday announced the launch of two new programs aimed at supporting police mental health and well-being. This follows the city’s completion of a 90-day public safety reform initiative started back in June.

Reset brings on a mental health expert who served on the city’s Police Accountability Task Force and a former officer who now advises the UChicago Crime Lab.

GUESTS: Alexa James, executive director at the National Alliance on Mental Illness Chicago (NAMI)

Sandy Jo MacArthur, retired assistant chief for the Los Angeles Police Department; advisor on officer mental health and well-being for the University of Chicago Crime Lab