Mental Health Crisis Line Extended To Former Police Officers And Staff

The Chair of South Yorkshire Police Federation has praised Oscar Kilo for extending the Mental Health Crisis Line to people who no longer work in policing, saying: “It’s absolutely right that they have that continued support.”

The independent and confidential Mental Health Crisis Line can now be called by people who no longer work in policing – no matter what role they were in, when they left, or the reason why.

South Yorkshire Police Federation Chair Steve Kent said: “This is really positive and I applaud Oscar Kilo for this; it’s such an important resource. Sometimes officers can be reluctant to reach out for support, but the fact that the line is there and it’s something we can encourage people to use is really vital.

“To provide that for officers who have left the service as well is right. The duty of care for breaking officers should go beyond their service, because for people who are medically retired, or who leave the job because they can’t cope anymore, that’s potentially because of their experiences as a police officer. So it’s absolutely right that they have that continued support.”

Steve added: “I think we really need to push this line out, front and centre. I’m going to talk to the force about putting it on the bottom of screensavers so it’s there all the time, and to get the awareness out there.

“We need to make it as easy as possible for someone, in those darkest moments, to just pick up the phone and make that call that can make all the difference.”

The Mental Health Crisis Line is 0300 131 2789.