Hampshire Police Federation Chair shares personal story to remind colleagues It's Ok To Not Be Ok

20 January 2025

The Chair of Hampshire Police Federation has spoken candidly and emotionally about a time when he considered taking his own life in the hope he can encourage others who may find themselves in a dark place to talk to someone.

Spencer Wragg has decided to publicly share his story in the hope that colleagues know they are not alone and that – even in the toughest of moments – there are people to help and that things will get better.

It is ok to not be ok.

Sadly, between 2001 and 2020, 344 police officers took their own lives and suicide is the biggest annual killer of officers.

Spencer said: “Six years ago, last week, I came as close as you can get to taking your own life, without actually doing it.” I was reminded about this period in my life whilst I was in India on holiday watching a sunset last week.

“To this day I can’t give a reason why I didn’t go through with it, but what I do know is that I am extremely grateful that I didn’t. The journey back from the dark place I was in has been hard and I still have bad days now and again, we all do.

But it’s so important that if you get to that place that you reach out and talk to someone, it doesn’t matter who. Just do it, it’s a decision I will forever be grateful for.”

According to the Samaritans, 5,656 suicides were registered in 2023. This is 372 more than in 2022. Males aged 45-49 years were found to have the highest suicide rate.

Spencer added: “It was a really difficult time for me. People at work had started to notice a difference in my behaviour and demeanour – my team had noticed a difference but didn’t necessarily know what was going on.

“I acknowledge it was a really critical point in my life… looking back my emotions and thoughts became all-consuming in a really short space of time. My normal day changed rapidly and before I knew it I was experiencing my darkest moment and was about to take my own life.

“It’s a period of my life that I hope will never be repeated and something I have managed to get myself through. It’s the lowest point I have ever been at. It demonstrates that it can happen to anybody.

“The message I would like to share is that it’s ok not to be ok about how you are feeling but what you must do is reach out to someone, anyone, it doesn’t matter who

#PoliceFamily it’s important for those perhaps struggling to know they are not alone - and there are people there to help.

This includes for immediacy

The Thin Blue Line https://www.thinbluelineuk.org.uk/

And The Samaritans 116 123

There is also the support offered by charities such as Flint House, Police Rehabilitation Centres, The Ben Fund, Oscar Kilo, PTSD 999 and Police Care.

It's ok to not be ok.