Worrying new stats have revealed around 10,000 officers had to take time away from their duties due to mental health symptoms last year – a figure which has sadly come as ‘no surprise’ to Kent Police Federation.

The number represent a steep rise in officers reporting they are suffering from stress, anxiety, depression and PTSD.

Forces have got better at improving how they capture and record mental health data from their officers, and officers feel more confident in coming forward and talking about how they feel.

But the figures clearly show more action is required said Kent Police Federation Chairman Neil Mennie.

“Unfortunately, the figures are of no great surprise,” he said.

“Policing is a stressful environment to work in, and in some ways, it’s not necessarily a bad thing that people are having the confidence to report their suffering with these issues. 

“But there needs to be action taken to address it properly and ensure that when we do have these officers that are struggling in this way they can get help as soon as possible. 

“This is one of those things that the longer you leave it, the worse it’s going to get so we need to let officers have the confidence to speak out early and not feel their issue is being minimised.

“I still think that there’s a difference between having a mental health problem and an arm hanging off,” Neil added.

“If and an officer has a bone sticking out, we would rush them off to the hospital and get them treated. I’m not quite sure we’re there yet with the mental health as a comparison. More work to do, but we are definitely on the upward trajectory.”

Spotting the signs of poor mental health in themselves and others is key for officers and the Federation is there to help and signpost them to the right support.

“All colleagues have a part to play in recognising when people are having difficulties and having a good open conversation with them rather than shying away from it,” Neil said.

“We need to get that supportive structure in nice and early for people that are suffering.

“We can direct officers to the appropriate support and I think everyone has a duty to help where they can.

“As a Federation, we can be a confidant; people tell us things they won’t tell anybody else. They might be struggling to get a flexible work pattern, for instance, and other problems with finances or at home will come tumbling out,” Neil said.

“We’d encourage officers to talk to us, their Fed Rep, so we can send them in the right direction and get them the right help.”