Greater understanding needed on officers’ mental health

CASES of UK police officers and staff taking long-term sick leave for psychological reasons have risen by 35%.

The figures, released under the Freedom of Information Act, show cases rose from 4,544 in 2010/11 to 6,129 in 2014/15.

“There needs to be a greater understanding and greater acknowledgment by forces and some investment in occupational health,” said Mark Smith, Chairman of Essex Police Federation.

“We also have to remember that the force aren’t the primary health provider, the NHS are, so it needs to be an admittance that it’s happening and I think they need to look and see what’s causing it.

“I think that mental illness in society in younger people is on the rise anyway, so in policing we’re probably replicating what’s going on in society. But on top of that we’ve got a stressful type of job which is probably making it worse, so we need to identify, I think, the causation factors to see if we can negate or control what’s happening to officers.”

What would be Mr Smith’s advice to any officers who are suffering from psychological illness?

“My advice has got to be to seek professional help,” he added. “If you think that you’re not right, if you think you’re getting stressed and maybe have any early signs of depression then get medical help.

“And, of course, bring it to the notice of the force, because it might be that the things that are causing the issues might be able to be addressed very easily, but if we don’t know what’s causing it then we can’t address what’s happening.”

The BBC’s 5 live Daily programme contacted 46 police forces across the UK, and 40 provided information.

Data also showed the number of police employees on long-term sick leave – defined by forces as either 28 or 29 days or more – rose from 19,825 in 2010/11 to 22,547 in 2014/15.

There was also a steady increase in overall long-term sick leave.

Che Donald, of the Police Federation of England and Wales, said there had been “unprecedented cuts to police officer numbers” while demand on forces had not decreased.

He said increased sickness – including for psychological reasons – was not surprising as officers often worked in “highly stressful fast-moving environments” and were exposed to “horrific situations”.

More information for officers with concerns here http://www.polfed.org/fedatwork/Welfare_Support_Programme.aspx