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Peer Support Program

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When To Seek Assistance

  • Overwhelming situations impacting you at work, home, or in training.
  • Intense feeling of discomfort, stress, or confusion.
  • Significant symptoms that persist longer than 6 weeks.
  • Suicidal thoughts or planning.
  • Other self-destructive behaviors.
  • Feel like you are losing control.
  • Just want to check in and see if you are OK.

The Peer Support Program is an informal, private opportunity, available 24 hours a day for you to speak to someone like you, to assist with any issues you may be having difficulty within your life. We are here to help you clarify your concerns and explore your available resources.

Remember that reaching out for help or guidance on an issue is not a weakness in your character. We are here to assist you.

The Peer Support Program is preventative maintenance. For many of you, just talking about your problem will help. For others, peer supporters or "peers", have received formal training in listening skills and are able to recognize, help to prevent, understand the effects of stress, and refer you to other assistance, if needed.

The Peer Support Program is not an element of the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), nor is it a substitute for professional help. The program is an opportunity available to you for discussing issues or pressures you may encounter during your attendance and stay here at the FLETC.

The academy setting could easily be considered a stressor. For many, it is the difference between a career and a job, the family that is left behind, the demand placed on individual success, and other personal and/or work-related issues.

Nationwide, law enforcement agencies have been using peer supporters for several years. Since peers are not mental health professionals, there is no official record kept of individuals who use the Peer Support Program. The peers also conduct group sessions for officers and others that have been involved in a critical incident.

A critical incident is any event on or off the job that is outside the realm of your coping mechanisms and that can result in significant emotional and/or physical reactions.

A critical incident could have serious effects for those who are directly or indirectly involved in an incident, to include FLETC employees, Partner Organization staff, students, members of their respective families, as well as suppliers, contract personnel, visitors, or the community in general.

ON CENTER – Peer Support for Student, Staff, Contractor, and Families may be reached by calling the following CONFIDENTIAL Numbers

Email: fletc-peersupport@fletc.dhs.gov
Regular Business Hours Phone Number: (912) 261-3777
24-hour Support Phone Number: (877) 235-7337
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988

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