School Resource Officers can and should promote mental and physical health and even more in the COVID-19 world. With students, a popular idea today is that we need to not only address the academic child, but also the whole child. In others words, a person is not just a point average or a job evaluation. It means dealing with the person’s life dimensions of the mental, physical, social, emotional and spiritual.
This concept could be applied to SROs to encourage a positive school climate setting for all. The most important advice for SROs is take care of yourself. You cannot take care of others if you are not taking care of yourself: police by example, not directives. Here are five non-negotiables to do that:
- Sleep. You need 7-8 hours a night. I know you will say that you don’t have the time. But many health experts say this is the most important thing to do to promote your mental health. The National Sleep Association says, “Sleep deprivation can have similar effects on your body as drinking alcohol.” Stay awake, stay alive, and sleep right.
- Eat well. This is obvious, but often forgotten. It is said that you are what you eat. What’s in your body? Would you put old dirty fuel in your car? Michael Pollan, in Food Rules, years ago summed up how to eat in seven words: “Eat food, not too much, mostly plants.”
- Exercise. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends 150 minutes a week with aerobic, strength and stretching. You don’t have to go to a gym. Stretching and strength exercises can be done without any special equipment by doing things as easy as yard work or shopping. Walk or bike when you can. Move more and sit less. Stand while you work. Get out of your office as much as you can.
- Stress. It has been called the silent killer because of the way it can destroy and impact all aspects of your life and health. The American Psychological Association has found that three out of four Americans have said that the pandemic is a significant source of stress. Practice mental health stress reduction, such as deep breathing, mindfulness, meditation, praying and sweating for Native Americans. Simple, no cost tips. Go outdoors. Limit news consumption. Read a book. Enjoy your hobby. Call a friend or family member for no good reason.
- Build social relationships. Now more than ever, the power of relationships is paramount. Trusted relationships are the basis of an effective working world including schools. One way to help build relationships is your choice of words. The words you choose help you win or lose. You cannot unsay a cruel word. Build relationships with the four C’s, which are communication, collaboration, cultural competency and caring. And don’t forget the three L’s: look, listen, learn and then talk. As you know, our national pandemic mantra is “you are not alone” for good reasons. It is all about relationships and building a whole team to make a lasting difference after the pandemic, or, if needed, ready for the next one.
SROs can be the driving force of getting down the rough road in this pandemic with as few bumps as possible. Are you up for the whole ride?
Editor’s Note: Stephen Sroka has keynoted several national NASRO conferences and numerous NASRO state conferences. He died while presenting a school staff presentation about school safety, and two SROs saved his life.
Photo courtesy of the Miami Dade Schools Police Department