Mental wellbeing is just as important as physical health

19 May 2020

Hertfordshire Police Federation is supporting Mental Health Awareness Week which runs until this Sunday (24 May).

Since becoming branch chair and secretary respectively almost two years ago, Geoff Bardell and Al Wollaston have put wellbeing at the heart of the Federation’s work but with the coronavirus crisis both admit supporting officers’ mental health has become more important than ever.

“When we took over these Federation roles, we were both clear that officer wellbeing – be that mental, physical, emotional or financial – would be our primary focus,” says Geoff.

“Since then we have worked with the Force to ensure that officers’ wellbeing is at the forefront of everyone’s mind but also to highlight the fact that mental health has to be taken as seriously as physical health. We are helping breakdown the stigma around talking about mental health difficulties and hopefully people are starting to get more comfortable seeking help if they need it.

 “During these last few months as we have all felt the challenges of responding to the coronavirus crisis, it seems more important than ever that we support Mental Health Awareness Week, that we start conversations around mental health and that we encourage anyone who might be struggling right now to seek help. There is a wide range of support available to people. No one should suffer in silence or be afraid to speak up.”

Mental Health Awareness Week is being run by the Mental Health Foundation and this year’s theme is kindness.

It is being supported by the Police Federation of England and Wales which will be providing advice and tips from experts on everything from mental health first aid to diet and sleep.

Belinda Goodwin, the Police Federation’s national wellbeing lead, has written a blog to mark the week in which she highlights the fact that everyone is currently 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.”

Earlier this year, the Police Federation of England and Wales launched the ‘Hear Man Up, Think Man Down’ campaign to raise awareness of officers’ mental health.

Find out more about Mental Health Awareness Week.

Get help and support during the coronavirus crisis.