Free webinar hopes to empower men to open up about their health
14 November 2023
An online forum to discuss men’s health issues is being held this week by the Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) - and is open for all to attend.
The webinar aims to help change attitudes and behaviour, and to empower men to be able open up about their health.
It takes place on Teams between 10am and 12.30pm on Thursday (16 November) with a focus on addiction and how it can impact physical and mental health.
Registration is open now and West Mercia Police Federation secretary Pete Nightingale is encouraging members to attend.
Pete said: “There’s still that sense within policing that we go to horrible jobs and deal with horrible things, and that seeking professional medical help or reaching out to colleagues is somehow a sign of weakness.
“It isn’t at all, and the webinar that’s coming this week aims to help change attitudes around health and wellbeing.
“We’ve come a long way and we’re a lot better than we were, but there’s still a way to go.”
Pete said the event was for female officers as well as male officers.
“We’ve had awareness sessions around breast cancer and menopause, which male officers attended to learn more and be supportive, and supervisors who will be looking after colleagues who may experience those issues,” he said.
“Equally, there will be female supervisors and female colleagues who will want to attend to learn more and to support male colleagues who may be experiencing issues.”
The event will be opened by the PFEW’s Welsh co-lead Zac Mader.
Speakers will include the police service’s chief medical officer John Harrison, who will discuss how his role can influence attitudes towards men’s health.
PFEW national board member Belinda Goodwin will talk about changing attitudes and how important language and behaviour has a massive part to play in it and the role our female colleagues have in men feeling empowered to open up.
Chief Inspector Stewart Codling, of Thames Valley Police, will focus on mental health and promoting a safe space where men can open up.
Nick Conn, chief executive of Help4Addiction, will talk about his experience of being a serving police officer with an addiction and his journey.
And the webinar will also hear from Oswin Croft, from the charity Movember, who will discuss why men's health is important all year round.
Members will be able to ask questions during the sessions, and the Q&As will be hosted Mark Jones, North Wales Police Federation secretary, and Matt Slade, Essex Police Federation equality lead.
READ MORE: Fed secretary urges new Home Secretary to give officers 'desperately needed support'.
