Have police officers now lost their trust in leading mental health charity?

Figures revealed have shown that once a fortnight a police officer takes their own life, however those working in the mental health field alongside officers, fear this number could actually be higher.

Policing is unequivocally the toughest job in our society today-officers are over stretched, over worked, under valued, under mined, and under paid compared many other sectors. Yet we still see thousands of officers do their job daily because they love helping the community and ultimately being police officers.

Sadly the rate of suicide amongst officers is increasing and although figures show a police officers fortnightly takes their own life, those working in the mental health field now believe this to actually be higher.

Gary, a founder of PTSD 999, is a former police officer who works with all members of the emergency services who are struggling with mental health issues. He told the Havering Daily:

“We know the numbers are creeping up and as the long nights and winter months approach, the risk of suicides increases.Sadly assaults on police officers have been regulatory and there are so few officers doing so many jobs. We are also seeing many officers going to work suffering from PTSD who are not well but keeping going under huge amounts of pressure.

“Some face mountains of never ending paper work, others may not even realise they are suffering from PTSD.

“The amount of officers approaching us has increased, many don’t know how to deal with what they may have witnessed and others have the stigma of pride that stops them telling others that they are suffering.”

Gary also stresses that many officers do not know where to turn to when suffering with PTSD, and one leading charity has always been recognised as supportive to our bluelight workers-Mind.

It seems now that this has literally all changed and that not only do officers not trust MInd anymore, but are actively calling on the Police Federation to cut all ties with the charity following recent social media posts.

The question we ask is-should a charity be in the position to actively appear to take sides when there is an open investigation into the matter and as of yet no result has been given either way?

All members of the community must be supported and our black community have every right to be able to access mental health facilities and feel supported at all times.

Yet the charity’s recent social media posts have now caused a huge rift with police officers who feel betrayed and let down by those who call themselves bluelight champions. Their trust in Mind has now been shattered and hundreds across the country now feel once again let down.

Business owners are withdrawing their support, charity donaters have put an end to their regular donations and officers have openly turned their backs on those they saw as trusted friends and supporters. They also saw staff at MInd as people who were there to support them when they were at their lowest times and suffering with mental health issues.

During a time when police officers need friends, support and guidance, Mind chose to slam the door in their face.

Police officers face some very tough situations on a daily basis and have an endless list of challenges to overcome. This response from Mind has been seen as a break of trust that is irreparable for officers.

Here is a response from the Chief Executive of Mind, Paul Farmer:

“It’s important that we talk about difficult issues and, as a charity committed to anti-racism, we understand that sometimes people won’t always agree.

“The post Mind shared yesterday was intended to support anyone affected by the news of Chris Kaba’s death. Supporting one group does not exclude another. We are here for everyone. We are very proud of the Blue Light programme we deliver in partnership to support our emergency services. Our support for the mental health of the police force is also unwavering.

“We understand that many police officers feel from the post that we are not there to support them, which was not our intention. Nor is it our intention to comment on an ongoing investigation nor to imply any conclusions about the circumstances of this case. We are sorry that some of our wording has given that impression. We understand this is an extremely difficult time and are very committed to our work supporting the mental health of police officers and other emergency servicespersonnel.

“Sometimes the focus of our communications will beon one issue and sometimes on another. On this occasion, we felt it was important to focus on racial trauma which we know can be triggered by events in the news.

“Mind is here to make sure that no-one faces a mental health problem alone.”