BETWEEN DUTY AND SUFFERING: THE MENTAL HEALTH OF PUBLIC SAFETY

Abstract

The mental health of public safety professionals, especially police officers, has been the subject of several academic studies, due to the intense emotional, physical and psychological demands imposed by the profession. Constant exposure to situations of risk, violence and institutional pressure contributes significantly to the development of disorders such as post-traumatic stress, depression, anxiety and Burnout Syndrome. In addition, the organizational culture of police forces, often marked by a denial of emotional vulnerability, makes it difficult to seek psychological support and favors mental illness. Given this scenario, it is essential to develop effective public policies that prioritize the mental health of security agents, through preventive programs, continuous psychological monitoring and professional development actions. This article proposes to reflect on the main challenges faced by these professionals and the urgency of institutional measures that ensure more humane and healthy working conditions.