#StressAwarenessMonth: Stress is a real problem in policing, but recognition and treatment is improving for officers

8 April 2021

“Stress is a real problem in policing. It’s hard to spot or recognise the early signs and many times officers are already broken before it comes to the surface”

During their careers, each police officer is likely to encounter between 400 to 600 traumatic events. Most citizens will experience between three or four in their lifetime.

April is #StressAwarenessMonth and Cumbria Police Federation has outlined how help is out there for officers who are struggling.

Nationally, nearly 10,000 police officers took time off due to stress, depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder in the past year.

PFEW’s January 2021 Demand, Capacity and Welfare Survey revealed that almost 80% of officers said they have struggled with their mental health and wellbeing over the past 12 months.

Paul Williams, Chairman of Cumbria Police Federation, said: “Policing is unique. Officers on a daily basis deal with harrowing incidents. Abuse and violence towards the police has significantly increased and along with having to deal with very serious disturbing incidents, having to make serious decisions in split second high pressure scenarios all gradually chip away at officers over a number of years and this is bound to affect any human being mentally.

“Stress is a real problem in policing. It’s hard to spot or recognise the early signs and many times officers are already broken before it comes to the surface.

“The positive thing is it is not being brushed under the carpet. Increasing efforts are being made to address the issues of stress and I have certainly over the years seen a huge increase of officers willing to talk about it and recognise themselves when early warning signals appear.

“We now have easier access to training around mental health first aid along with access to counselling and inputs on resilience techniques. As an organisation we are certainly improving on recognition and treatment and the Federation often joins forces with the Constabulary to help and get as much as we can for any member who is suffering.”

If you are struggling, please contact office@cumbria.polfed.org

Officers in need of support can also see more about the Mind Blue Light Programme here https://www.mind.org.uk/news-campaigns/campaigns/blue-light-programme/

The Stress Management Society have also created a free Individual Stress Test https://www.stress.org.uk/individual-stress-test/ where individuals can receive a stress score and some personalised recommendations for managing this.