Page 10 - WMPF Federation Aug-Sept 2021-flip_Neat

Federation survey

Policing the pandemic:

mental toll revealed

ore than three quarters of police
officers experienced mental health
Mor wellbeing difficulties over the
past year, according to a new survey.
The devastating impact of policing
during the coronavirus pandemic was
highlighted in a new report from the Police
Federation of England and Wales (PFEW)
which followed a survey of 12,471 rank and
file police officers.
The report revealed 69 per cent of all
respondents linked “work-related
difficulties” to their distress. Of these
respondents, 58 per cent experienced
work-related mental health and wellbeing
difficulties and cited heavy workloads as a
factor.
The survey also illustrated a gap
between officers who sought help and those
who chose not to, with just one in five
respondents saying they asked for help.
A perceived stigma around declaring
mental health or wellbeing issues within
policing was also evident, with 41 per cent Officers who responded to the survey recognition they deserve from
of those who had received help admitting were asked about their awareness of Government and policing.”
they didn’t share this information with their national support initiatives within policing, PFEW national chair John Apter said:
line manager because they didn’t want to be with the Blue Light Programme by Mind, “The pandemic has put pressure on
treated differently in the workplace. Oscar Kilo, and PFEW’s Welfare Support policing like never before. But while the
More positively, the results showed the Programme the most recognisable. negative impact on the mental health of
police service was playing an increasing role West Midlands Police Federation police officers comes as no surprise, it
in combating mental health issues and that secretary Steve Grange said: “Our members should sound alarm bells.
proactive support services were having a have faced unprecedented challenges since “Police officers often feel as though
constructive impact. the start of the pandemic more than a year their concerns are irrelevant. Policing and
It found 71 per cent of those who ago and it comes as no surprise that many government therefore must do much more
sought help for mental health and have struggled with the emotional impact to make sure they can more easily access
wellbeing had disclosed this information to working under such extraordinary the support they deserve.
line managers, with 67 per cent claiming circumstances. “On a positive note, there is more
they were “adequately” supported by the “It is important that these brave men mental health and wellbeing support
police service after doing so. and women know that support is available available than ever before - and it’s clear
A total of 74 per cent indicated they for them and that there is no stigma in from the evidence more officers are
were aware of force provided support asking for help when it is needed. seeking support.
services, such as resilience training, “It is also very important that the “But we need to remove the stigma
mindfulness workshops, and mental health sacrifices made by police officers and their around these issues. We have to ensure
awareness programmes. families throughout the crisis get the every officer knows where they can reach
“ Our members have faced unprecedented of day or night they need it.
out and get support no matter what time
challenges since the start of the pandemic more

“The Police Covenant, which is
currently going through Parliament, is the
than a year ago and it comes as no surprise that
and support is provided to officers. That’s
many have struggled with the emotional impact perfect opportunity to ensure that help
why it is essential that what the covenant
working under such extraordinary delivers is both tangible and meaningful.”
circumstances. “ Read the report

10 federation August/September 2021 www.polfed.org/westmids