Mental Health Services
Correctional officers play a vital role in keeping our communities safe, yet the mental and emotional demands of the job are often overlooked.
Every day, correctional officers work in environments that expose them to high levels of stress, conflict, trauma, violence, and human suffering, and they manage complex behaviours, respond to critical incidents, support people experiencing mental illness and regularly navigate threats to their own safety and wellbeing.
Over time, these experiences can take a significant toll.
Research consistently shows that correctional officers experience higher rates of psychological distress, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, burnout, and sleep disruption than many other occupations and the general population. Exposure to violence, assaults, self-harm incidents, deaths in custody, chronic understaffing, mandatory overtime, and shift work can all contribute to cumulative trauma and mental health challenges.
Importantly, it is not always a single critical incident that affects wellbeing. For many correctional officers, the ongoing exposure to stress, hypervigilance, operational pressure, and organisational challenges can gradually impact their mental health over months and years. Studies have shown that longer service within corrections can increase the likelihood of persistent mental health concerns if support is not accessed early.
Mental health challenges can show up in different ways, including:
- Feeling constantly on edge or unable to relax
- Changes in mood, irritability, or anger
- Difficulty sleeping or frequent nightmares
- Withdrawing from family, friends, and colleagues
- Loss of motivation or enjoyment in activities
- Increased alcohol or substance use
- Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
- Emotional numbness or feeling disconnected
- Physical symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, or chronic pain
Many correctional officers are reluctant to seek support because they worry about stigma, confidentiality, career impacts, or being seen as unable to cope. However, seeking help is not a sign of weakness - it is a sign of professionalism, self-awareness, and strength.
The earlier you reach out for support, the better the outcomes can be. But it is never too late to ask for help.
The Correctional Officer Support Line will be bringing on mental health services - social workers and psychology services - that you can reach out and engage with.
We want to help break the stigma of reaching out for help, and that you never have to walk a dark path alone.