The Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) is committed to the support of our officers in times of personal crisis or need. Corrections officers, like most of us, may stress or worry about personal or work-related problems and challenges at times.
MDC recently implemented a peer support program that provides trained officer volunteers who can provide confidential mentoring, reflective listening, or counseling to fellow officers.
In a sense, peer support officers are the first line of support for any fellow officer who reaches out for help in a time of need. Whether an officer is faced with a family, financial, relationship, work, or some other crisis or struggle, just talking to someone may be just the help they need. Peer support group officers help by listening, coaching, and offering advice.
They also help fellow officers access resources provided by the Bernalillo County Employee Assistance Program (EAP) or other outside support agencies and programs for counseling, self-help, and crisis intervention.
These volunteers receive specialized training that qualifies them to provide emotional, social, or practical help to fellow officers in difficult or stressful situations.
Peer support officers at MDC receive training from the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation (ICISF) in Individual Crisis Intervention and Peer Support, Group Crisis Intervention, Mental Health First Aid, and Advanced Individual Crisis Intervention and Peer Support.
Currently, the program has seven peer support volunteer officers. At least one member is available on or off duty 24 hours a day.