Palabras clave
Apoyo entre iguales
Salud mental
Cuerpos policiales
Prevención del suicidio
Cómo citar
Resumen
Los cuerpos policiales enfrentan altos niveles de estrés emocional y psicológico debido a la exposición a incidentes críticos y factores organizativos, lo que incrementa el riesgo de ansiedad, depresión, trastorno por estrés postraumático y suicidio. La cultura policial, marcada por el estigma hacia la vulnerabilidad emocional, dificulta la búsqueda de ayuda profesional. Los programas de compañero de apoyo surgen como estrategia para facilitar el acceso a recursos de salud mental, ofreciendo apoyo emocional confidencial y actuando como enlace con profesionales sin asumir un rol clínico. Este estudio realiza una revisión narrativa de 11 programas internacionales y 5 guías institucionales, analizando funciones, selección, formación, confidencialidad, derivación profesional y resultados. Los programas revisados comparten características comunes: integración en los departamentos policiales, atención 24/7, intervención a demanda y tras incidentes críticos, énfasis en psicoeducación y prevención del suicidio, selección voluntaria basada en competencias interpersonales y formación inicial y continua. La confidencialidad y la derivación a profesionales de salud mental son pilares esenciales. Los resultados sugieren que el apoyo entre iguales reduce el estigma, mejora la alfabetización en salud mental, incrementa la disposición a buscar ayuda profesional y contribuye a la retención del personal, especialmente en mujeres. Sin embargo, la evidencia cuantitativa es limitada y se requieren más evaluaciones sistemáticas. La homogeneidad de estos programas sugiere su replicabilidad y plantea como línea futura la adaptación e implementación en España, donde actualmente no existen iniciativas similares, con el objetivo de comprobar su viabilidad, aceptación y posibles beneficios para el bienestar psicológico de los agentes.
Citas
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