Page 35 - Top Cover Issue 9

TOP COVER ISSUE 9 35

Policing & the Stigma of Mental Health

Much has been written about mental health in the police service

and we know that there are unique challenges faced by officers.

WRITTEN BY RICHARD DORNEY

do not intend to list the daily difficulties faced in the line of There have been commendable efforts made in recent months
duty as you will know them only too well. Policing though to assess and change the way in which police deal with members
is not unique in being a tough profession that regularly of the public suffering from mental health problems, particularly
presents traumatic events and emotional challenges; there those taken into custody. Such a shift needs careful analysis, policy
are many other professions that put people in harm’s way and above all training. Shouldn’t the same level of thought and
and expect a great deal from them. Policing though, offers training be extended to officers and their families? How do we
additional psychological challenges because of the depressingly manage those who are sick absent with both physical and mental
I edictable frequency with which officers are confronted health problems? How are suspended officers managed and
pr
by the absolute worst that society has to offer; constant abuse, those who face disciplinary investigations? All of these groups are
threat of assault, endless scrutiny both external and from within, especially vulnerable, so poor management, thoughtless actions,
criticism, traumatic events and the frustration of being shackled unsupportive processes and enforced isolation may very well fuel
by procedure in desperate situations. Resources are worryingly anxiety and depression. Most people have very limited experience
thin and more is being asked of people on a regular basis; so no of mental health and do not understand it. They especially
surprise then that some officers will suffer from poor mental struggle with the concept of someone being unwell, but being
health and wellbeing. able to function relatively normally for long periods. It is often
Do we actually know the scale of the problem within the UK the case that the darkest and most desperate moments for those
Police service? It is of course very difficult for the Home Office who are unwell occur when they are away from the workplace.
to capture any meaningful statistics or trends. The Ministry of Police officers have very clearly defined roles, these roles are taken
Defence (which has a much easier task with data capture) is able seriously, people are trained and do their jobs professionally,
to publish quarterly mental health presentation rates, diagnoses but the management of people with poor mental health is an
and trends, as well as suicide rates. Interestingly the Home Office unpopular burden for some line managers. Passing the matter
does not record off duty deaths of Police Officers so we have on to welfare or Occupational Health and cracking on as if the
no real idea of the suicide rates (although there is no evidence problem doesn’t exist or belongs to someone else is a common
to suggest that they are higher than the National Average). The approach. Such treatment is unlikely to help an officer who is
picture then is sketchy, but police officers are first and foremost unwell and it is certainly unlikely to encourage help seeking.
human beings and suffer from the same vulnerabilities as So who do officers turn to when they are struggling? Very
everyone else. often it isn’t family, nor is it welfare staff or occupational health.
We know that one in four people in society is likely to The first point of contact is usually a trusted friend or colleague
suffer from poor mental health at some point in their lives. The (usually one and the same for police officers). There is very good
likelihood is that we all know someone who is struggling right research that clearly indicates the importance of peer support in
now, they may be signed off sick, but they are equally likely to be helping people who are mentally unwell. If colleagues are likely
at work and have not sought professional help for their problem, to be the first in line to help, doesn’t it make sense to train them
which of course may have nothing to do with the job, but can how to do it? Surely line managers should be given some basic
certainly be exacerbated by it. Why then do officers often not awareness training in how to recognise a mental health problem
seek help when their mental health is declining? The stock answer and how to help in the first instance? There are good solutions
is ‘stigma’ embarrassment that they will be seen as weak or will available and PFOA have led the way by training their welfare
be judged by others or perhaps they are unwilling to admit to support team in both Mental Health First Aid and suicide
themselves that they are unable to cope, but this is only a part awareness. PTSD frequently raises its head in conversation and
of the problem. There is genuine fear in some quarters. Fear although the numbers of people affected are unlikely to match
that they will be removed from role or worse. Fear about what media hype, Police officers are an at risk group. Getting some basic
management might say or the way in which they may be treated awareness of the characteristics of posttraumatic stress and how to
and perhaps fear that they might not be able to jump through manage it, especially early on, makes complete sense. The value of
the various hoops required to be declared fully fit again after they informed peer support cannot be overstated because we all have
have recovered. Apprehension over how they will be able to regain an important role to play in supporting each other and helping to
the trust of colleagues and superiors. There are people out there prevent people from getting into crisis or worse. PFOA’s support
going to work today who need help, so how can the issue initiative may very well have already saved lives so let’s hope that
be addressed? their good work in de-stigmatising mental health spreads ■