This cross-sectional study determined the acceptability of psychological debriefing among police officers high risk to develop post-traumatic stress disorder in Zamboanga City. The sampling method used was total count to meet the minimum computed sample size. Among the 160 police officers exposed to high-risk assignments, the study included 136 police officers who fulfilled the inclusion criteria and was on active duty. Self-reported screening questionnaires were used, specifically PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) and Inventory of Attitudes toward Seeking Mental Health Services. Descriptive statistics such as frequency and percentage distribution were utilized. Using the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5), this study concluded that 51.5% of the police officers are high-risk to develop PTSD. Moreover, using the IASMHS, the overall acceptability of police officers before and after the PTSD awareness campaign improved from 40.4% to 86%, respectively. Median scores of the three domains of acceptability also improved from unlikely to accept to agreeing to accept psychological debriefing after the intervention Hence it is recommended thata psychoeducation must be done among the police officers to encourage them seek mental health services, if needed. Lastly, awareness on the signs and symptoms post-traumatic stress disorder should be advocated for early referral and prompt management to avoid progression.

Keyword: Pyschological debriefing among police officers Post traumatic stress disorder