Look out for each other: Federation supports Mental Health Awareness Week

18 May 2020

The current coronavirus crisis makes it more important than ever for people to be open if they feel their mental health is suffering, says West Midlands Police Federation chair Jon Nott.

And Jon is also encouraging officers to look out for their colleagues.

‘This is Mental Health Awareness Week, an initiative promoted by the Mental Health Foundation,” says Jon, “The theme this year is kindness which seems particularly pertinent right now.

“We have all seen the acts of kindness that have lifted the spirits of the nation over the last few months so I would just urge everyone to consider if there is something kind they could do for someone else at this time. It could be something as simple as picking up the phone and having a chat with someone rather than relying on a text message.

“It could make all the difference, particularly if they are someone who is feeling isolated or anxious due to the pandemic.”

Throughout the week, the Police Federation of England and Wales will be sharing advice and tips from experts on everything from mental health first aid to diet and sleep with the aim of helping officers and their families improve their mental health.

In a blog, the Federation’s 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 front-line, 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 a mental health and suicide prevention campaign ‘Hear Man Up, Think Man Down’.

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