summer-2024 - 16

POLICE
Stress Test
Using the stress continuum model to assess stress responses
By National Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
he Stress First Aid (SFA) model is a self-care
and peer support model developed for those
in high-risk occupations like military, fire and
rescue, and law enforcement. It includes seven
actions that will help you identify and address early
signs of stress reactions in yourself and others in
an ongoing way (not just after " critical incidents " ).
While stress reactions may be relatively common
in law enforcement jobs, SFA has been developed
to be used when functioning is impaired or there is
significant distress involved, such as:
* No longer feeling like your normal self
* Loss of control of emotions or behavior
* Excessive guilt, shame, or blame
* Panic, rage, or depression
The stress continuum model is a visual tool
for assessing your own and others' stress
responses. It forms the foundation for SFA,
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which was first developed for Navy and Marine
Corps Servicemembers.
The crux of the stress continuum model is that
stress responses lie along a spectrum of severity
and type. Every person will react when faced with
severe enough or extended enough stress.
However, how a person responds will depend on
his or her preparation for and interpretation of the
stressor events. During this response, a person's
state can change from Green to Yellow to Orange
to Red Zone, and back again.
Police officers may try to conceal stress
reactions from supervisors because they fear
stigma and because they want to avoid medical or
psychological intervention. However, recognizing
the signs of Orange Zone stress in oneself or a
fellow officer and taking steps to lessen the
severity is important.
summer-2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of summer-2024
