In Brazil, the daily life of a police officer is intensely demanding and can cause significant negative impacts on health and wellbeing including disrupted sleep patterns, a sense of emotional imbalance in both personal and professional interactions and relationships. A lack of attention on mental health and wellbeing can lead officers to the excessive use of force, abuse of authority, relationshp issues, and leads to alcohol and drug abuse, depression, and suicide.

In the culture of police, addressing mental health issues is stigmatized. Most officers don’t want to admit this to themselves or their fellow officers from fear of losing their jobs. There is no official public data on the cost of mental health in police departments. But just in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, around 2,500 police officers were removed from work for mental disorders between January and August (2018)

More than 2,000 police officers have participated in the SKY MIndful Leadership program that has empowered them to cope with occupational stress, manage emotions, and maintain a better quality of life.

Participants have reported a calmer and centered state of mind, greater mental focus, energy and improved sleep patterns as a result.