How and Why to Protect Mental Health as a Probation Officer
May 19, 2025 by Jack Martin
Probation and parole officers walk a tightrope — they balance public safety, legal mandates, and fragile futures of those under community supervision. While they are trained to support rehabilitation and enforce accountability, the preparation for the psychological toll of the job itself is often lacking. From constant vigilance to high-stakes decision-making, the system demands more from officers. Along the way, their mental health can become collateral damage.
As a former probation and parole chief, I have witnessed the evolution of our profession and the challenges associated with maintaining our mental health. In support of Mental Health Awareness Month, I am committed to sharing the best practices and strategies I’ve learned during my 30 years in the supervision industry so that other officers recognize the magnitude of prioritizing their mental health.
Recognizing How the Complex Nature of a Probation Officer’s Job Impacts Mental Health
Tasked with the complex responsibility of balancing public safety with client rehabilitation, community supervision officers work in unique environments and are exposed to a wide range of stressors that can negatively impact their mental health.
- Large Caseloads: Officer caseloads typically exceed the recommended levels. Officers may feel intense pressure to provide adequate attention to each client while navigating the weight of critical decision-making. Overlooking failure and recognizing the fruits of their labor is difficult amidst the chaos.
- High-Risk Clients: It’s not surprising that probation officers report high levels of depression compared to the general public. The files they review, the high-risk people they interact with — trying to help people in very complicated environments or who sometimes make poor decisions can be extremely difficult for officers to navigate.
- High-Stress Work Environments: The day-to-day work of probation and parole officers can contribute to high stress levels. This stress can stem from working in potentially dangerous situations, interacting with violent individuals, and the pressure to maintain professionalism during taxing situations.
- Exposure to Vicarious Trauma: Officers regularly interact with individuals who have experienced or perpetrated violence, abuse, or other traumatic events. When officers are repeatedly exposed to these types of experiences of others, this can lead to vicarious trauma, also known as secondary trauma or secondary traumatic stress. Example situations that can cause vicarious trauma may include removing children from the home during an arrest, interviewing victims and witnesses, or reliving unsettling conversations. As a result, stress levels heighten.
Evidence-Based Care Strategies to Support Mental Health
Experiencing mental health challenges or asking for help is not a sign of weakness. It’s a symbol of strength and commitment because to help others, you must also help yourself.
Consider self-care tactics to prioritize your mental health:
- Interpersonal Strategies: We cannot control what happens but can play a role in the outcome. People skills, such as communication and relationship building, and practicing mindfulness — paying attention to the present moment without passing judgment — are important to reducing stress, anxiety, and depression.
- Personal Life: Engaging in unrelated work activities, like spending time with family and friends or cultivating hobbies, can provide opportunities for connection and self-worth.
- Spiritual Life: Group interactions, such as counseling sessions or attending church, allow people to talk about their feelings positively and productively, while feeling a sense of belonging and support from others.
- Recreational Activities: Being active through regular exercise has been shown to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, improve mood, and enhance cognitive function.
- Physiological Activities: Getting enough quality sleep and incorporating a nutrient-rich diet are key elements to health and wellness, especially for those who work irregular schedules.
As an agency, organizational support is equally important to officers who may be dealing with the environmental stressors of their role. To make a pivotal impact, leaders and chiefs should consider a top-down approach by:
- Creating a culture of transparency and support
- Implementing employee assistance programs
- Providing regular wellness check-ins and screenings
- Training staff to recognize signs of mental health issues
- Adopting trauma-informed policies
- Promoting a work-life balance
Destigmatizing Mental Health in Community Supervision
Our officers are on the front lines of public safety and client rehabilitation. They are the backbones of our communities; they are selfless individuals who serve others, putting clients’ success above their own, countless hours and sleepless nights later.
As an industry, we must destigmatize the mental health issues officers face. We must create a culture where discussing mental health is normalized and encouraged. We must prioritize and help those who help others. Prioritizing officer mental health is not just an organizational responsibility but a public safety necessity.
A good friend of mine, Robert Ambroselli, and I recently joined an American Probation and Parole (APPA) webinar. We highlighted this topic in more detail based on our combined 50 years working as department chiefs. I encourage anyone seeking mental health tools and best practices to watch the on-demand recording.
As a final thought, thank you to the officers and chiefs who are committed to serving our communities. Your work does not go unnoticed. Thank you for all that you do.
Disclaimer: The strategies and insights offered in this article do not serve as medical advice. If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available. The national crisis hotline can be reached 24/7 by dialing or texting 988.