Occupational Stress and Mental Health Outcomes Among Police Officers: A Mini Review

Law enforcement personnel are routinely exposed to occupational stressors that place them at increased risk for adverse mental health outcomes. This mini review synthesizes literature on police occupational stress and integrates findings from the present qualitative dissertation study, which explored the lived experiences of 13 active or formerly active law enforcement personnel. Using a biopsychosocial lens, this review highlights how operational trauma, organizational demands, decisionmaking pressure, stigma, and inconsistent service encouragement contribute to emotional strain, burnout, physiological dysregulation, and barriers to care. Findings support the need for proactive, culturally responsive, and organizationally embedded mental health support within law enforcement agencies.