The hidden weight of the badge: member speaks out

18 February 2026

Mike Bellchambers, 40, has spent 17 years serving with Northamptonshire Police. His journey began even earlier, with five years as a Special Constable, fueled by a childhood dream. 

He admits that he never wanted a ‘boring nine-to-five job’. Instead, he ‘wanted to be out there, making a difference’. But the reality of policing is far more complex than most people realise.

Having previously reached rock bottom, Mike has now bravely shared the mental health challenges he has faced.

“I don’t think people truly appreciate how the job affects you unless you’ve lived it,” he said.

“The number of traumatic events a person experiences in the Force is unmanageable. It impacts every aspect of your life, including your personal life. You go to so many traumatic jobs, day in and day out, and rarely - if ever - talk about them. All of those jobs live with you. You carry them.”

Trauma

Mike shares memories that reveal the emotional weight officers silently bear. As a new parent, he bluelighted a child to hospital but never processed the trauma. 

Reflecting on the incident, he said: “I just went home and gave my daughter a longer cuddle than usual. You deal with it, and as you deal with it, it becomes hard to ask for help.”

He also recalled attending an eight-person fatality, a case so harrowing that it still haunts him. 

“Yet, I just cracked on,” he says. “Maybe it’s our mind’s way of protecting us. But the reality is, we all need support - even if we don’t realise it at the time. Members of the public saw those victims and were offered support. We weren’t. It’s shocking.”

Most people may only face a handful of traumatic events in their lifetime, perhaps the loss of a loved one. However, police officers can see thousands. Mike admits that his own life has been shaped by these experiences.

 

Mike Bellchambers

 

As a new parent, Mike found himself juggling shifts and parenting, while continuing to face traumatic incidents day in, day out. The constant ‘bottling it up’ resulted in his marriage breaking down in 2019.

And then, in 2023, he found himself under investigation at work for a previous relationship he had formed years earlier. He had no idea who had reported him. And this lack of trust and uncertainty ultimately pushed him to breaking point.

Shortly after, on August 17, Mike reached a crisis point. 

He said: “I planned not to be here. I’d made preparations. When you’re feeling like that, your thinking is completely blurred - you’re not thinking about anyone else. But then something stopped me.”

That night, he visited a place special to him, ready to take his own life. Then, his late nan-  who he describes as his ‘biggest fan’ and died during Covid - ‘spoke to him’. 

Saved my life

“I had a full-blown conversation with my nan that night. I can’t explain it, but she changed my mind that night. My nan saved my life,” he continued.

However, in true ‘bloke’ style, Mike intended to carry on as if nothing had happened. But the reality caught up with him, and he was sectioned that night by his fellow officers, an experience he admits was embarrassing.

Since then, Mike has embarked on a journey of recovery. He has spoken out, sought counselling, attended Andy’s Man Club, and found a renewed sense of purpose. He even started his own side business as a decorator.

“My nickname is ‘Jingle’ - I’m always joking and laughing. People would never expect me, Jingle, to struggle with my mental health. But it’s not always the quiet ones who are suffering,” he said.

Mike’s message is clear: give your mental health the care it deserves: “There’s still a stigma, even if people say there isn’t. If I had a broken back or a neck collar, people would ensure I was looked after.”

Mental health

Having had four months off work, he has now returned to the Force, and Mike describes himself as ‘an incredibly different person’ from the one who nearly lost hope. 

He ended: “Mental health isn’t visible, so it doesn’t get the same attention. I’m not ashamed anymore. I want to talk about it and encourage others to do the same.”

If you need help, please get in touch with your nearest Federation representative or the Federation office.

Immediate support services available:

• Mental Health Crisis Line (24/7) designed for police officers and staff: 0300 131 2789

• Samaritans (24/7): 116 123

• National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK (available 6pm to midnight every day): 0800 689 5652

• Mind’s Blue Light Infoline: 0300 303 5999