Postal work has always been a high-stress field in the United States, but it wasn’t until several tragic incidents in the late 20th century that professionals and society in general became more aware of mental health concerns in postal work. This blog post looks at some of the historical and current dangers and concerns, and what can be done to help.
What We Know So Far
What is known today as the United States Postal Service [USPS] began as the Committees of Correspondence and then the Constitutional Post, founded by Benjamin Franklin and used to communicate treasonous messages against the British Crown. Thus, from its very inception, it has been highly stressful to process and deliver the mail. Renamed the Post Office of the United States shortly before the Declaration of Independence was signed, the postal service in the U.S. has always been a vital part of our country’s fabric. It is usually the part of government that citizens rate most highly, yet it is also taken for granted despite the enormous stresses of the work.
Some of these stresses are legendary. One of the most famous is the Pony Express, which only recruited single boys and young men 18 or younger due to how hazardous the work was. There was great pressure to get the mail across incredibly dangerous territories with little apparent regard for what it did to the couriers. Many of them, and even more of their horses, died in the name of connecting the growing nation. While that was a relatively brief episode in postal history, the unofficial motto of, “Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds,” speaks to the dedication of postal workers but also the incredible pressure they are under.
Both the dedication and pressure endure to this day. Postal workers face increasingly difficult work conditions as more Americans use electronic means to communicate, which decreases USPS revenue, yet people still expect anything that goes through the mail to arrive promptly and safely, post offices to be open and fully staffed, and to have good service. They complain about postal rates, often not realizing that the USPS is one government agency that doesn’t receive citizen tax dollars despite being under strict congressional oversight.
What Effect Does This Have on Postal Workers?
Stress can be thought of as a feeling of being overwhelmed, and postal work is often overwhelming. The American Postal Workers Union recognizes that workplace stress is a major job hazard. They help workers file and process stress claims due to difficult work conditions. Even with this help, many workers have staged protests to bring attention to the fact that work conditions can be so bad that the USPS saw almost 60% of the workforce quit and need replacement in 2022. One protest organizer remarked, “People are better to their dogs than they are to these employees.”
Such stress has serious implications for USPS employees. Our bodies and minds are not built to live under constant pressure, and the workplace is most people’s number one source of stress. Workplace stress has been shown to increase risk of alcohol and other drug abuse, workplace bullying, depression, and anxiety. High levels of stress can trigger and/or exacerbate underlying mental health issues such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and suicidality. Constant stress has also been shown to be a major factor in psychical problems like digestive issues, headaches, muscle tension, high blood pressure, and many others. Most alarmingly, people who are under constant stress are more prone to harming themselves or others.
Thus, USPS employees are at high risk of many mental and physical hazards. It is clear that help is needed.
How Do We Use This Knowledge to Help People?
At Windmill, we are proud to serve those who do so much to help our society. Just as we help military and first responders, we offer top-of-the-line help to postal service members and their families for mental health issues including substance abuse, depression, anxiety, and many others. We understand the unique pressures, and we offer residential and outpatient treatment rated as the best in the United States to help postal workers live the life of emotional freedom and stability they deserve.
Just as the postal service has constantly adapted to meet the needs of an ever-changing society, Windmill is at the forefront of the latest techniques to help people heal and grow. This is done from the first admission phone call through the day of discharge and into aftercare. One factor that makes this possible is the wide range of healing techniques that we offer, including those that are “tried and true” and others that are on the forefront of the treatment field. We base all of this on scientific research that shows what really works, not just what is traditionally done in treatment. For each client, we find the right mix of options that fit that person, which we then review based on their preferences and progress as they move through the treatment experience and follow up with a robust aftercare program.
The Bottom Line
From its inception, the Unites States Postal Service has been a high-stress occupation. This stress has had a terrible toll on those who work so hard to serve our society. It is time to not only acknowledge the problems this has caused, but to also offer help and solutions.
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