Summary In this conversation, Mark Bouchard discusses the importance of addressing mental health and stigma within the police force. He shares his personal experience with psychological injury and emphasizes the need for proactive action and individual responsibility in maintaining mental health. Bouchard also highlights the concept of suicide by cop and the challenges faced by officers in making lethal force decisions. He calls for a shift in the understanding and treatment of officers involved in such incidents. In this conversation, the Delta Police Department discusses the importance of educating the public and themselves about the realities of police work. They also explore the psychological challenges faced by officers, including the decision to use lethal force and the impact of suicide by cop incidents. The conversation highlights the need for organizations to address mental health and wellness within their ranks, including providing resources and support for officers. The guests emphasize the importance of creating a culture that reduces stigma around mental health and encourages officers to seek help when needed. Takeaways
Chapters 00:00 Addressing Mental Health and Stigma 11:41 Proactive Action and Individual Responsibility 24:31 Reducing Stigma and Providing Support 25:26 Educating the Public and Police Officers 28:04 The Weight of the Decision: Using Lethal Force 28:31 Preparing Incident Commanders 29:24 Addressing Mental Health and Wellness 35:38 Reducing Stigma and Encouraging Help-Seeking 43:19 Finding Meaning and Promoting Resilience Guest Biography
Mark Bouchard grew up in Delta, and joined the Delta Police Department as a police officer in 2007, after a few years as a volunteer in the Delta Police Reserve Program. Mark worked primarily in patrol and on the Emergency Response Team, prior to his departure in 2020 for the RCMP. Since then, Mark has continued to work patrol and Emergency Response, until his recent promotion into the RCMP'S National Tactical Medicine Program. He has also completed a master's degree in leadership with a focus on police culture and the impacts on police officer mental health. Mark has combined his experiences and research into a book that he published on Amazon in 2023. It is called Setting My Sights on Stigma: Thoughts From an Injured Mind, where he shares what he learned as he recovered from his PTSD diagnosis, with a goal to help other people.
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