Mental Health Concerns in Postal Work
January 20th, 2025
By P. Casey Arrillaga, LCSW, LCDC
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.
About The Author
P. Casey Arrillaga is the Team Leader for Education at
Windmill Wellness Ranch, and he is the author of books including “Realistic
Hope: The Family Survival Guide for Facing Alcoholism and Other Addictions”.
