HOLIDAYS may be off the agenda right now, but it\u2019s vital officers still take annual leave when they can to give themselves a proper break.<\/p>\n
South Yorkshire Police Federation says the continuing lockdown and the demands of the job can take a real toll on officers\u2019 mental wellbeing.<\/p>\n
One way of helping to combat that is to try and get some all-important time off, South Yorkshire Police Federation Chair Steve Kent said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s critical officers look after themselves,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn the pandemic, people haven\u2019t been able to have holidays and go to the places they want, I understand that, and that\u2019s a frustration.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe all want to be seeing the sun again and having holidays and returning to normality, but what officers must do is still take your leave and take some time away even if you are at home or only able to exercise in the local vicinity.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s essential to be able to switch off. The demands of policing mean many people do overtime, but it\u2019s the collective effect of having so much work and not having a release with it coupled with the negativity of where we are.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe negativity of the situation has a massive impact on people\u2019s mental health, so people need to find time to have that escape from the workplace and turn their computers off, turn their laptops off and if necessary turn their phones off and get away from it.<\/p>\n
\u201cPut Netflix on, that\u2019s my idea.\u201d<\/p>\n
Help is at hand for officers, Steve said, should they feel they are struggling with their mental health wellbeing.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn the force, we have Backup Buddy which is the wellbeing app,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cOfficers can go on to our website and see what\u2019s available and there are services through the Federation and through group insurance members if people feel that they needed to speak to someone.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese things can be accessed 24\/7.\u201d<\/p>\n