Mental health: don’t suffer in silence

19 May 2020

Mental Health Awareness Week which runs until 24 May is a timely reminder of the need to protect our own mental health and be there for those who might need some extra support.

That is the view of Derbyshire Police Federation chair Tony Wetton who has urged officers to speak up if they are struggling with their mental health.

“No one should be afraid to seek help if they are feeling unwell and that applies just as much in terms of mental health as physical wellbeing. All too often, people are suffering in silence and we need to stop that. There is so much help and support available to people and often taking that first step to accessing that help is the first step towards recovery,” he explains.

“The theme of this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week is kindness so I would like to think we could all do something kind for someone this week but also consider being kind to ourselves.”

Belinda Goodwin, the Police Federation’s national wellbeing lead, has written a blog to mark the awareness week.

She highlights the fact that everyone is under a greater mental strain than usual due to the pandemic.

“More than four in five Britons are worried about the effect that coronavirus is having on their life, more than half say it has caused high levels of anxiety and has affected their wellbeing,” she explains.

“Now, these levels of anxiety are normal and, according to several professionals, may even be a healthy sign that we are thinking about, connecting with and caring for others more.

“But they don’t account for the very real dangers being faced by colleagues on the front-line, who are constantly at risk of being exposed to the infection, and who are being coughed and spat at on the streets by people claiming to have the virus.”

Throughout this week, the Federation, which earlier this year launched the 'Hear Man Up, Think Man Down' campaign to raise awareness of mental health in policing, will be providing advice and tips from experts on everything from mental health first aid to diet and sleep.

Find out more about Mental Health Awareness Week.

Get help and support during the coronavirus outbreak.