Cambridgeshire Police Federation chair Stu Taylor has encouraged members to use World Mental Health Day (WMHD) as a reminder to be kind to themselves both inside and outside of the profession.
The 35th edition of WMHD will be held this weekend (Saturday 10 October), aims to promote awareness, support and understanding around a crucial area of personal wellbeing.
Stu praised the initiative for providing an opportunity to pause and reflect on the mental health landscape within policing, with individual officers able to assess how they are currently managing the demands and pressures of the job.
“We all know how fast-paced and demanding our work can be, and when we’re so focused on protecting and supporting the public, it’s easy to forget about ourselves and how we’re feeling,” Stu said.
“WMHD is an opportunity to take stock of where you are with your mental health. You may feel you’re currently thriving, muddling through, struggling to cope, or somewhere else entirely – but we all have a state of mental wellbeing that needs attention and care.
“I would urge our Federation members to remember this. Until you take the time to stop and think about your own wellbeing, it can be easy to remain focused solely on the needs of others. But your thoughts and feelings deserve to be valued and cared for, just like anyone else’s.”
The official theme for this year’s WMHD is ‘lived experiences heard: real voices, real change’, putting the emphasis on listening to people who have experienced mental health difficulties and using their stories to help shape how we respond.
Expanding on the theme, Stu continued: “In policing, there is a constant risk of being exposed to something that could have a serious impact on your mental health. This could be a specific incident that has an immediate effect, or a set of circumstances that gradually wear you down.
“We know that, as a profession, we consistently have some of the highest rates of mental health-related sickness absence.
“It is crucial that we address this by listening to officers’ first-hand experiences of how and where they are affected, so we can use what we learn to better protect and support them.
“As a Federation, we are as committed as ever to ensuring your voices are heard, so your experiences can help shape a better future for policing when it comes to mental health.”
Stu rounded off by reflecting on how everyone has their own unique circumstances, which can affect their mental wellbeing in different ways.
“Issues and difficulties don’t necessarily stem from your professional life – you may be thriving at work but struggling in your personal life.
“Perhaps you don’t feel you need support from within policing, but having a conversation with a colleague, for example, could still go a long way towards making whatever you’re experiencing outside of work feel that little bit lighter.
“Or perhaps you don’t feel you need any support at all right now. But simply being mindful of your own mental health and wellbeing could set an example that encourages someone else to do the same.
“Whatever is going on in your life, please remember that there are always sources of support available. And as your Federation, we will always be here for you.”
Support services available include:
- Oscar Kilo Mental Health Crisis Line (24/7), designed specifically for serving and former police officers, staff and volunteers: 0300 131 2789
- Samaritans (24/7): 116 123
- National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK (available 6pm to midnight every day): 0800 689 5652