THE high-stress nature of the job is driving several police officers to consider suicide, says the Police Federation of England and Wales.<\/p>\n
Its Welfare Support Programme (WSP), set up by the Police Firearms Officers Association (PFOA) and PFEW, has seen the number of \u2018vulnerable and at risk\u2019 officers on its books soar in the 10 months since the scheme started.<\/p>\n
Currently, out of 230 people registered on the scheme, a staggering 148 are being carefully monitored for their own health and wellbeing.<\/p>\n
\u201cObviously these are the most serious cases, but we are seeing a definite increase in the number of police officers suffering from severe mental health issues,\u201d said Che Donald, PFEW\u2019s mental health lead.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are now more than 230 people on our programme, from a starting point of just two last summer. Each month we are seeing an increase in calls and referrals and there now 32 forces with officers registered plus the Ministry of Defence Police.\u201d<\/p>\n
More information about the Welfare Support Programme can be found here: http:\/\/www.polfed.org\/fedatwork\/Welfare_Support_Programme.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n Mr Donald added: \u201cThe scheme is literally a lifeline for those who are down, feeling isolated and considered at risk, having been through a traumatic episode or some other reason. We have been involved with officers who have gone missing and were considered high suicide risks. In other cases, we have been able to step in when there was no force welfare support or the NHS was unable to help.<\/p>\n \u201cMore and more officers are needing to take time off for mental health reasons; they are often working in highly stressful, fast-moving environments along with being exposed to horrific situations which take their toll. Coupled with a reduction of 17,000 officers since 2010 and a demand that has not decreased and increases in crime, the pressure and stresses placed on our police officers are unprecedented today.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are highly appreciative of the Blue Light Programme, provided by MIND, which has been vital in filling the void for available services to our officers. But still more needs to be spent to support the increasing numbers of emergency service workers who devote their lives to helping the public \u2013 and end up being signed off sick as a result.<\/p>\n \u201cPolice forces have a duty of care to their officers, however with their budgets severely slashed, the bill for mental health care provision too often ends up unpaid.\u201d<\/p>\n The Samaritans can be contacted every single day of the year on 08457 90 90 90 \u2013 or http:\/\/www.samaritans.org\/<\/a><\/p>\n