Burnout in Law Enforcement & First Responders: Building Resilience & Reclaiming Your Energy

First responder and frontline occupations such as law enforcement, corrections, and the fire service are inherently stressful occupations, often leading to high rates of burnout that far surpass those of the general population. In the wake of recent events such as COVID-19, civil unrest, and police defunding, these issues have added another layer of adversity experienced by first responders.

Burnout is the mental or physical collapse caused by stress, overwork, or doing work that no longer feels connected to your life’s purpose. Over time it causes you to run out of energy, leads to extreme exhaustion, cynicism, and inefficacy. It can be debilitating mentally and emotionally, and can flow over into the rest of your life, as well as affect your physical health.

Resilience is a protective factor that helps people bounce back from adversity, more quickly, and with less negative side effects. It has been shown by research to be a teachable mindset and skillset that few people are taught, but everyone needs, especially when dealing with times of change. It is the unlock key for success in long-term, massively-challenging endeavors.  Resilient and adaptable individuals and teams are the secret ingredient of organizations that thrive despite obstacles.

During this webinar, we will:

• Explain the differences between stress and burnout
• Discuss the causes and symptoms of burnout
• Provide an overview of burnout in law enforcement, firefighters, corrections officers, and other first responder groups
• Explain how resilience can help provide the proactive tools that can support first responders in dealing with adversities linked to burnout
• and provide an overview of current research on the impact of resilience training on overall wellbeing