New research from the University of the Western Cape suggests high levels of stress and psychological distress among police officers and paramedics drive them to alcohol abuse.
The study surveyed over 400 experienced police officers and paramedics in the Western Cape.
Lead researcher Anita Padmanabhanunni says, “In our South African sample of police officers and paramedics, harmful alcohol use was associated with anxiety, with symptoms of burnout, fatigue and insomnia”.
“This suggests that alcohol use actually needs to be understood in relation to broader mental health challenges. We also need to consider workplace culture because expectations around toughness and emotional control can discourage people from actually seeking help. The findings point to the urgent need for accessible, confidential and stigma-free mental health support for first responders”, Padmanabhanunni adds.
