On April 1, APA Services staff, in collaboration with Division 18 (Psychologists in Public Serviceopens in new window), recruited several leading experts in the field of law enforcement officers’ mental health to meet with the Government Accountability Office (GAO). The GAO has been tasked by Congress to issue a report on Department of Homeland Security Officers (e.g. Immigration and Customs Enforcement [ICE]; Transportation Security Administration [TSA]; etc.) wellness programs, suicide prevention efforts and data collection. GAO’s inquiry comes in response to alarming reportsopens in new window of increased stress and suicides amongst law enforcement and correctional officers across the nation including within DHSopens in new window. In fact, a recent studyopens in new window found that continual trauma exposure has contributed to law enforcement officers facing a 54% greater likelihood to die from suicide as compared to workers in other professions. APA’s experts stressed the need for organizational leadership cross training within DHS to combat mental health stigma and foster a workplace culture that encourages peer referrals and active bystandership. GAO’s report is expected to be issued in early 2026.
For more information, contact Ben Vonachen.