21 July 2025

Rise in Police Officers Taking Time Off for Mental Ill Health

In Dorset Police, 211 officers were signed off work in 2024-25 due to stress, depression, anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder, a Freedom of Information request has revealed.

Across the UK, over 17,700 police officers were signed off for mental health reasons in the financial year 2024-25, which is 22% up on last year and a huge 182% higher than when Police Oracle first ran the survey 12 years ago.

Of the 45 forces that provided figures both this year and last year, 33 reported an increased number of officers being signed off for mental ill health.

Chris Wood, Chair of Dorset Police Federation, said: “Although the numbers have dropped from last year in Dorset Police - which is a positive step in the right direction - this is still too many officers struggling with their mental health especially when we compare our figures to other Forces in our region as well as our previous years’ data.

“Policing needs to get better at identifying when officers are struggling before it becomes a problem for them and their families and put measures in place to prevent these issues in the first place with better working conditions and the government can do more with better pay.”

PFEW’s Wellbeing Lead, Paul Williams, added that the national figures were “very worrying”. He said: “Behind each mental health condition, you've got an individual who's going through incredible trauma, which has a significant impact not just on them, but on their family, marriage and career. It can be devastating.”

Paul said it was “a demonstration of the complexities of policing, a demonstration of the budget cuts over the past 15 years, and the lack of increase in pay for police officers. All this has contributed to an extreme rise in mental ill health within the police, and it's only going to keep rising if there's no intervention”.

In order to help officers who are struggling with mental health issues, a new 24-hour Mental Health Crisis Line on 0300 131 2789 has been launched by The National Police Wellbeing Service, Oscar Kilo. It is staffed by expert counsellors to support those working in policing who are experiencing a mental health crisis or suicidal thoughts.

It is confidential and completely independent – no information will be shared with the force, Occupational Health departments or line management.

Chris added: “This crisis line is a step in the right direction which will hopefully help some of our officers who are struggling."