#MentalHealthAwarenessWeek: If officers are struggling, reach out and let the Federation help

13 May 2022

“We have an open-door policy at the Federation and if any Officer is struggling with anything please reach out to us and let us help”

To mark #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek, Humberside Police Federation Chair Lee Sims blogs on the challenges facing Police Officers.

Lee says: “I know Forces nationally are recognising that the mental health of our colleagues is important and that in Humberside we have a wellbeing team that deals with such matters, however I feel that we need to have a more pro-active approach in relation to identifying the many symptoms and try and put things in place at the earliest opportunity to stop our colleagues suffering and reaching breaking point.

“Signposting to the number of organisations that can help is also important

“The figures released recently that nationally more than three quarters of Officers admitted to having experienced mental health or wellbeing challenges does not come as a shock, due to what Officers can face on a daily basis.

“In the Police you’re more likely to experience something traumatic than the general population, which can undoubtedly have an effect on your mental health. 

“Within Humberside Police Federation we have trained majority of supervisors in mental health first aid which I feel is invaluable to identify the early signs if one of our colleagues is suffering, we have also set up our own wellbeing team which is having several campaigns throughout the year dealing with issues which can affect our colleague’s mental health.

“We are also working with the Force and our Unison colleagues to make sure that everyone in Humberside receives the right help if required.

“My advice to any Officer who is struggling, is don’t suffer in silence. We have an open-door policy at the Federation and if any Officer is struggling with anything please reach out to us and let us help. Come to the Office, call us direct or talk to one of the work-based reps who will be more than willing to help.”