Preventive psychological support for public security agents

Abstract

Acting in public safety demands from the agent great responsibility and everyday risks, subjecting him to a constant exposure to stressors, which can cause or potentiate pathological conditions. Thus, this study aimed to understand, based on the scientific literature on the subject, the main impacts resulting from the performance of the public safety professional and the importance of preventive psychological support for these agents. The study was based on a descriptive methodology, consisting of a bibliographical research based on the analysis of reference books on the subject researched, as well as scientific journals, with the selection of articles published between the years 2010 and 2019 on the subject. The study identified the impacts of professional activity in the area of ​​public safety, mainly the high prevalence of stress and psychological distress in the agents, as well as the main factors related to this condition: risks experienced in daily work, need to deal with death and work in relay shifts. Among the strategies identified to minimize the problem, we emphasized the provision of preventive psychological support to agents and their families, and it is also important that this support be provided by the institutions where the agent acts. It was found that preventive psychological counseling can be an effective tool for improving the quality of life of public security professionals, helping them to cope with the stress inherent to daily work and thus minimizing the impact on mental health resulting from professional practice.