Police officers are being encouraged to keep an eye on colleagues who may be struggling with their mental health.

The STEP (Suicide Trauma Education Prevention) campaign, led by Hampshire Police Federation Chair Spencer Wragg, continues to push for proper recordings of suicide and more support for officers. Spencer recently met with the National Police Chiefs’ Council and the National Police Wellbeing Service to discuss how the service can do more to protect officers and staff.

Many officers are deeply affected when they attend incidents where a member of the public has taken their own life; one of the STEP campaign’s aims is mandatory TRiM (Trauma Risk Management) referrals for every police officer or staff who attends a suicide.

It is important for officers who are struggling to know they are not alone, and that there are people there to help. This includes, for immediacy: The Thin Blue Line: visit www.thinbluelineuk.org.uk

and Samaritans: call 116 123

Officers can also access the support offered by charities and organisations including Flint House, Police Treatment Centres, The Ben Fund, Oscar Kilo, and the ‘Stay Alive’ app from Grassroots Suicide Prevention.