Fisher tragedy raises mental health issues

Police source tells Post there's an excellent system in place to ensure that all officers in distress can receive care.

By YAAKOV LAPPIN
fischer family 224 88 (photo credit: Channel 2)
fischer family 224 88
(photo credit: Channel 2)
Police believe a promising young officer murdered his family before committing suicide in Hod Hasharon last Thursday, and the case has raised new questions about the force's ability to provide psychological support to its personnel. Supt. Michael Fisher, 29, worked in the Central District's Central Unit; he is suspected of killing his wife, Dep.-Insp. Hila Fischer, 30, and their son Yuval, two, and their infant daughter Yarden. With low salaries, long hours and prolonged exposure to danger, being a police officer in Israel can be a highly stressful career choice. In the days following the deaths of the Fishers, the Israel Police has been reluctant to discuss for the record its mental health support system. One police source, has, however, agreed to speak to The Jerusalem Post on the issue. The source said an excellent system was in place to ensure that any officer in distress could receive care. "Every police district has its own mental health officer," the source said. "These are highly qualified professionals - social workers who have joined the police. I know the mental health officer who has responsibility for the Hod Hasharon area, he is an exceptional man who is very sympathetic and caring." The mental health officers were "always available, and always working," the source said. Police officers are expected to seek help on their own initiative. But in unusual cases, when signs of distress are apparent, commanders refer subordinates to the counselors. This has happened in trouble spots such as Sderot, for instance, where police have witnessed difficult scenes following Kassam rocket attacks. The officers were then called in to discuss what they experienced, in a supportive environment. The mental health officers also regularly meet with one another to evaluate their decisions. "These are quality professionals, each with their own extensive resume showing years of experience. The police then train these individuals to become the force's mental health officers," the source explained. "Beyond the care officers, the police is also monitored by specialists who analyze the force's organizational culture," the source added.