The incredibly high level of anxiety, depression and low morale in policing.

A report in the BMC Psychiatry found that police officers under reported symptoms of mental health disorders when they completed a screening.

There are more police officers losing their life to suicide than those being killed in the line of duty. Emergency service workers are sadly suffering such severe mental health issues with the shocking figure of one in five suffering post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and even complex PTSD. The news of blue light workers suffering another loss is sadly all too familiar. Yet the number of officers being lost to suicide is not even recorded demonstrating once again the lack of respect officers are shown by those who should be supporting them.

A report in the BMC Psychiatry found that police officers under reported symptoms of mental health disorders when they completed a screening and ‘less senior staff and those with the most severe PTSD were significantly more likely to under report symptoms.’ The question to ask is why?

The Police Federation Leavers Survey in 2017-18 reported that 52% had low morale, they also reported on the impact the job role has on their well being and of course the stress of the job. The report asked if they considered re-joining of which most declined and asked what would make them reconsider-improved welfare.

There is an incredibly high level of anxiety, depression, and over course overall low morale. This is of course increased by some senior officers choosing to trample, bully and throw under the bus those who work so diligently for them. They say policing is a job like no other and it certainly is, there are very few professions in our society that face the level of scrutiny, trial by social media, and fear of doing their job-as police officers do.

So why are police forces across the country not recording the level of officers suicides? Is it time that this is now acknowledged and the well fare of the officers comes first?

Frontline staff run in to danger everyday, they put their lives on the line for their community. Yes, they have chosen to do the role, but that surely should be commended during a time when our streets are so blatantly violent despite what we are told. We all read of officers being attacked with knives, machetes, swords and even gun crime. These are regular occurrences. These attacks amongst the many other complex issues build and will have lasting impacts on those officers. They need support, again, they need support.

An officer taking his own life will cause lasting impacts on his team. The same way any suicide has on those nearest to them. Those left behind are heartbroken and saddened to know just how badly their friend was suffering and if only they could have helped. It is also sad to know that when this happens, BCU Commanders and those in senior roles, once again fail to reach out and ask their colleagues if they need support. Officers who have been doing their roles for twenty plus years remain broken and the sadness they deal with is of the scale.

Now we return to our earlier point that officers under report their mental health problems and can understand why.

Too many members of our blue light workers are being lost, it is time we acknowledge this and work to improve their welfare. These officers’ actions are often heroic-it is time they are supported.

If you are an officer struggling and would like to reach out for help, please see the link below-

Please reach out.

https://www.ptsd-999.com/services-2

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