Mental health has to be prioritised
20 May 2020
The police service needs to give the same priority to mental health and wellbeing as it does to physical health.
That is the view of Sarah Cooper, chair of West Mercia Police Federation.
Sarah was speaking as the Police Federation of England and Wales plays an active role in supporting Mental Health Awareness Week, which runs until this Sunday (24 May), and is promoted by the Mental Health Foundation.
“I do believe the police service has come a long way in terms of how it supports officers, and staff, who are suffering mental ill-health but it needs to build on the progress it has made,” says Sarah.
“From my own personal experience of battling with mental health, I really do understand when officers say they can’t answer the phone to work or attend a meeting in a police station but all too often they also tell me that they are afraid to ask for help or seek support.
“There is still very much a fear that any disclosure regarding mental health will negatively impact on development and promotion prospects. This really concerns me and I think there needs to be clear and genuine reassurance from senior command that this is not the case.”
Sarah continues: “In my experience, those who have suffered poor mental health are more likely to recognise it in others so they have the ability to provide support at the earliest opportunity. The Force is striving to develop strong, confident and compassionate leaders and an understanding of mental health, and the way it impacts on the workforce, is key to this.
“I am a strong believe that our current promotion processes need to be improved in order that emotional intelligence and the ability to manage staff with compassion can be valued in the way it should be. The damage I see that is caused by poor management should not be under-estimated and it is entirely avoidable.
“There is still a stigma around mental ill-health and I want to help break that down. Hopefully, the Federation’s support for Mental Health Awareness Week will help with that too.”
The Federation is encouraging police officers across the country to take steps to strengthen and protect their mental health, and with kindness being the theme of Mental Health Awareness Week wants officers to share acts of kindness this week.
Throughout the week, the Federation is sharing advice and tips from experts on everything from mental health first aid to diet and sleep, all designed to help officers and their families improve their mental health.
In a blog to mark the start of the week, the Federation’s national wellbeing lead, Belinda Goodwin, said: “This year the week has particular significance - all of us will be feeling a greater mental strain than usual. More than four in five Britons are worried about the effect that coronavirus is having on their life, more than half say it has caused high levels of anxiety and has affected their wellbeing.
“Now, these levels of anxiety are normal and, according to several professionals, may even be a healthy sign that we are thinking about, connecting with and caring for others more.
“But they don’t account for the very real dangers being faced by colleagues on the frontline, who are constantly at risk of being exposed to the infection, and who are being coughed and spat at on the streets by people claiming to have the virus.”
Earlier this year, the Federation launched its ‘Hear Man Up, Think Man Down’ campaign to encourage officers to talk about mental health, raise awareness and help prevent suicide.
The campaign also involves promoting organisations that can offer support to anyone suffering with the mental health and wellbeing including:
The Welfare Support Programme, and
Sarah has urged anyone concerned about their own mental wellbeing or that of a colleague to get in touch with the Federation office or their local Federation representative.
Officers can also access help through the Force welfare officers, PAM Assist and, for those in the Group Insurance Scheme, support is available through Health Assured Mental Health Counselling - details of which are available in the scheme booklet.
Sarah concludes: “We can help an officer access the support they need. Taking the first step by contacting us can be the first step towards getting the help you need so please do not hesitate to get in touch.”
