Rise in Police Officers Taking Time Off for Mental Ill Health

21 July 2025

In Kent, 320 police officers were signed off work last year due to stress, depression, anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder, a Freedom of Information request has revealed.

This is a 5% increase on the previous year, when 305 Kent Police officers were signed off for mental health reasons.

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.

Neil Mennie, Kent Police Federation Chair, said: “Policing is a high-pressure, demanding environment in a time of economic challenge and high cost of living. Whether it may be some or all of those elements affecting the numbers of officers being signed off work with mental health issues, this continuing upward trajectory is alarming.

“Although it has become easier to speak about mental health, there will undoubtedly be a ‘hidden’ number of colleagues struggling to speak up or masking with other types of sickness.

“Kent Police has a number of support services in place and no one should hesitate to make use of them or speak with others about how they are feeling.”

Paul Williams, Wellbeing Lead of the Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW), said 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”.

To try 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.

Neil said: “It is vital we look after the extraordinary people who look after the public – this helpline is another tool that I hope will help those who need it.”