SOUTH Yorkshire Police officers are being warned not to \u201cbottle up\u201d their stress levels after more than 100 officers in the force were signed off with psychological disorders last year.<\/p>\n
Neil Bowles, Chairman of South Yorkshire Police Federation, (pictured) has urged members not to \u201csuffer alone\u201d and to seek help if they are feeling under too much pressure at work.<\/p>\n
He said he was not surprised to discover that 117 South Yorkshire officers were signed off with stress and other psychological disorders last year. According to figures released by the force following a Freedom of Information Act request, a further 82 officers suffering stress, anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have been signed off since April this year.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe only thing I’m surprised about is that the figures are not higher,\u201d said Mr Bowles. \u201cThe pressure is bound to take its toll on our members when you have got fewer people doing more work. There is going to be a burn-out.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Federation is working alongside human resources to help put into place an employee assistance programme, an online resource designed to help people manage their stress levels, health, exercise and workload.<\/p>\n
But Mr Bowles warned that there is \u201conly a certain amount of self-help that people can do before the wheel comes off\u201d.<\/p>\n
He added: \u201cStress is still a dirty word in certain circumstances and I believe one force does not even recognise the condition PTSD so I think senior managers have really got to take note of these figures and so has the government.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Chairman urged officers who are feeling stressed to seek help. \u201cDon’t suffer alone,\u201d he said. \u201cThe worst thing is to bottle it up and keep it to yourself. Talk to someone.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are counsellors in occupational health, but if you are suspicious of their role you can access counselling through the Federation insurance scheme or if you want to pay for it yourself there are a lot of independent counsellors out there if you find it difficult to talk to family and friends.\u201d<\/p>\n
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