Helpline launched exclusive for police in mental health crises

21 July 2025

A new police-specific mental health helpline has been rolled out across England and Wales today (Monday, 21 July) by Oscar Kilo, the National Police Wellbeing Service.

The Mental Health Crisis Line is an independent and confidential source of support for police officers and staff in England and Wales experiencing struggles including suicidal thoughts, self-harm, grief and trauma.

It has been designed by Oscar Kilo to exclusively serve policing 24/7, 365 days a year, with every call handler a trained, experienced counsellor who understands the unique demands and stressors of the profession.

Signposting

The crisis line will provide immediate help to callers, keeping them safe and stable and signposting them to further support based on individual needs. Follow-up calls will also be a part of the service’s offering.

While operators will ask for information about a caller’s circumstances, this is purely to assess the situation and will not be shared with the Force in any capacity, such as occupational health or line management.

The national roll-out comes a year after the crisisline was piloted throughout the North-East forces, including North Yorkshire.

North Yorkshire Police Federation branch secretary Tony Barnes said: “This helpline has all the features of support our members deserve – independent, confidential, always available and bespoke to policing.

“Policing is a profession like no other. The challenges our colleagues face - whether it’s dealing with trauma, personal strain or the cumulative weight of the job - can sometimes feel overwhelming. That’s why having a dedicated mental health crisis line, run by trained professionals who truly understand the pressures of the role, is so important.”

Awareness

Earlier this year, the STEP (Suicide Trauma Education Prevention) Campaign was launched, aiming to reduce the number of police officers who take their own lives by raising awareness of the amount of trauma officers face in their jobs, and encouraging them to seek help if they’re struggling.

Tony added: “The STEP Campaign has highlighted just how much of a vital resource the 24/7 Crisis Line is within policing.

“This isn’t just about crisis intervention - it’s about giving our people the reassurance that support is always there, without judgement and without delay.

“No one should ever feel they have to carry the burden alone. This helpline sends a clear message: it’s okay to ask for help, and when you do, there’s a safe and confidential space waiting on the other end of the line.”

Oscar Kilo has rolled out the Mental Health Crisis Line as part of its action plan for suicide prevention within policing and its remit to ensure all officers and staff have access to first-class wellbeing support.

Additional contributions have been made by police and crime commissioners around the country, with the endorsement of the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC).

You can call the Mental Health Crisis Line around the clock on 0300 131 2789 and find more information on the Oscar Kilo website, as well as emailing any questions to jenna.flanagan@college.police.uk.