‘Support is always out there’ says branch chair ahead of World Mental Health Day

8 October 2026

With World Mental Health Day (WMHD) taking place this Saturday (10 October), West Mercia Police Federation chair Gareth Spreadbury is encouraging officers to take time to consider their mental health and remember that support is always available.

The annual event, now in its 35th year, provides an opportunity to raise awareness of mental health and encourage people to think about their own wellbeing.

Gareth said it was particularly important for those working in policing to make time to reflect on how they are feeling, given the pressures and demands of the job.

“I’m sure we can all admit that, in policing, life rarely ever feels slow, simple or straightforward, given the expectations placed on us and the standards we set for ourselves,” said Gareth, adding: "There are always demands and pressures to contend with, and that’s before we get to our personal lives where even more responsibility comes into play.

“That’s why it remains as important as ever to stay on top of your mental health and make sure you’re remaining kind to yourself.

Mental health

“Police officers are so geared towards helping others that they can often go into machine mode, forgetting to stop and think about how they are managing themselves.

“WMHD is a good opportunity to pause for a moment and ask yourself how you are actually doing.

“Maybe you are in a really good place at the moment, maybe you are getting through things day by day, or perhaps you are finding things more difficult than you would like.

“Whatever your circumstances, taking a few minutes to recognise where you are mentally is important. You cannot always see the impact that pressure, stress or difficult experiences are having on you until you give yourself the space to acknowledge it.”

Gareth also highlighted the importance of recognising the impact that repeated exposure to trauma can have on those working in policing.

 

 

He pointed to the Suicide Trauma Education Prevention (STEP) campaign, which aims to improve awareness of the wellbeing risks associated with the job and encourage a greater focus on prevention.

“STEP is an important campaign because it recognises something that those working in policing know only too well: repeated exposure to trauma can have an impact,” he continued.

“We cannot simply assume that because attending difficult incidents is an inescapable part of the job, officers can just deal with this and move onto the next task.

“I think many people now appreciate that this approach can often lead to serious struggles further down the line.

“Prevention is incredibly important. We need to be having these conversations before somebody reaches that breaking point, and we need to make sure officers know that asking for support is not a sign of weakness.

“It’s all about changing the culture around mental health in policing, and there has been some encouraging change towards that in recent times, including the mandatory recording of all officer suicides and attempted suicides.

Talk openly

“Now, we need to keep going with this mission, until every single person in policing feels their thoughts and feelings are truly valued, because they most certainly should be.”

Gareth said the Federation would continue to support initiatives which encourage officers to talk openly about their mental health and challenge the stigma that can sometimes prevent people from asking for help.

“As your Federation, we will always be here for you, and it is vital we are always there for each other.

“Sometimes the most important thing you can do is simply check in with yourself and be honest about how you are feeling – and if you notice that a colleague, friend or family member might be struggling, don't be afraid to ask them how they are.

“You don't have to have all the answers. Sometimes listening and letting someone know that they are not on their own can make a real difference.

“On World Mental Health Day, I would encourage all our members to take a moment to think about their own wellbeing, to listen to the experiences of others and to remember that support is always out there.”

Support services available include:

• Oscar Kilo Mental Health Crisis Line (24/7): Designed specifically for active and former police officers, staff and volunteers – 0300 131 2789
• Samaritans (24/7): 116 123
• National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK: Available from 6pm to midnight every day – 0800 689 5652

READ MORE: 'Proud' retired Fed member looks back on 30 years of policing.