Cops seek counselling after traumatic events

More police have sought counselling, as the Christchurch terror attack and Whakaari/White Island eruption raise awareness of mental health issues facing emergency service workers.

Police spending on counselling has surged in recent years. After the March 15 mosque attacks, police mental health advisers had more than 700 confidential conversations with staff who’d responded to the shootings.

Mental health experts said some misconceptions around traumatic events were still common.

Psychotherapist Kyle MacDonald said about 10 to 20 per cent of people exposed to traumatic events developed post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

He said crisis debriefings after events such as the mosque attacks or last week’s volcanic eruption could exacerbate mental health problems if handled improperly, or forced on people.

The Society of Clinical Psychology said psychological debriefing interventions could be potentially harmful and interfere with natural recovery processes following a traumatic event.

‘‘Actually the best thing you can do is go home and spend time with your family,’’ MacDonald said.

He said mental health professionals seemed busier than ever, reflecting greater awareness of mental health issues and rising demand for psychotherapy and psychological services.

Police data showed a steady increase in staff using Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) counselling in recent years.

Two psychologists brought in to work with staff in Christchurch after the March 15 shootings had more than 200 one-on-one sessions with police staff.

‘‘The terrible events of that day had a significant impact on NZ Police staff, as they did on people across New Zealand,’’ police said.

A document provided to MPs showed police spent $320,000 on the EAP in the latest financial year. That was 28 per cent more than the year before, and up from $132,000 six years ago.

Most police who attended had referred themselves to counselling.