It’s important to look after each other, says Federation

264 Essex Police officers took time off due to stress, anxiety, depression or PTSD last year, figures have revealed.

Essex Police Federation Chairman Steve Taylor says it’s important that members look after each other. “Mental health definitely are not dirty words and we should be supportive of colleagues who suffer with mental health, just as we are with those that suffer with poor physical health,” he said.

“We’re not able to look after people suffering with mental health if we’re burying our heads in the sand when it comes to questions around it.

“We need a maturity around the whole subject and what matters is identifying and coping with those that are struggling.”

Steve thinks culture in the force is starting to change, that officers are starting to realise coming forward is key and that they are making use of the resources available to them.

“I doubt there’s a colleague in the organisation who doesn’t work with someone who is suffering with their mental health,” he said.

“And opening our eyes to that is a journey that we’re currently on and that we’re working hard on getting right.

“Essex is in a stronger place than most forces in the country.

“There is ‘Live Well, Feel Well’ campaign that HR have led on, that’s a positive example of getting it right and what we can do.

“And the ‘Blue Light’ Mind campaign and others, there’s always work to be done in this area, but it’s a journey that we’ve started on and we’re having some success in I think.”