Startling rise in mental ill health among police officers

6 September 2024

More than 14,500 UK police officers were signed off work over the past year due to stress, depression, anxiety or PTSD it can be revealed.

Nationally, this figure is 9% up on last year - and a staggering 130% higher than when the survey was first run 11 years ago.

In Kent, 305 police officers were signed off work due to stress, depression, anxiety or PTSD in the financial year 2023-2024.

Neil Mennie, Chair of Kent Police Federation, said: “Mental Health issues remain a significant matter of concern and too often signing off work is at the end of a hidden journey.

“Kent Police have a very supportive occupational health department and an employee assistance programme. This was reflected in our PFEW survey, despite this the figures are alarming and it’s important to reach out for help rather than struggling in silence.”

Neil added: “Policing is a demanding and challenging environment and it can be no surprise that this will take its toll across all ranks and levels of service. It’s important to be comfortable and confident talking about mental health and not feeling a sense of fear or failure.

“It can happen to any of us at any time and we all have to support those who are unwell.

“There are likely to be many different causes and they are not always the obvious ones that are part of daily policing.”

The National Police Chiefs’ Council’s (NPCC) Wellbeing Lead, Andy Rhodes, said: “Policing is an extremely fulfilling profession where officers can make a genuine difference to people’s lives and to their communities. Sadly the role they play means they can often be faced with some incredibly challenging and hostile situations and, over time, this can take a toll.

“For example, the recent unprecedented violent disorder saw more than 300 officers physically injured across the country and many more will also be impacted psychologically, although sometimes it may not surface for many years after the incident.

“Stressful, fast-paced situations and repeat exposure to trauma can affect officers and many police staff in a number of ways, which is why we are committed to supporting the psychological wellbeing of our people, working closely with leading experts and with the dedicated Occupational Health teams in forces.”

Mr Rhodes said that each force was committed to early-intervention debriefs when officers were exposed to trauma, alongside mental health peer support and psychological risk assessments. He added that the chief medical officer for policing had developed a national suicide action plan.

He said: “Policing is a rewarding career as long as the right support is made available to those who need it, when they need it.”