MORE than 200 South Yorkshire Police officers took time off sick with mental ill health last year, new figures have shown.<\/p>\n
A total of 219 officers went sick from the force between April 2016 and March this year – with the vast majority citing stress or work-related stress as the reason.<\/p>\n
Figures showed 97 police officers were suffering from stress, while 46 had work-related stress. 34 officers had anxiety and 29 depression.<\/p>\n
The remainder were suffering from post traumatic stress disorder and another category of \u201cmental stress\u201d.<\/p>\n
Nationally, there has been a 7 per cent increase in police officers falling ill with psychological disorders. A total of 9,267 police officers from the rank of constable to chief inspector have taken time off with mental ill health, representing an increase of 635 officers from the figures provided the previous year.<\/p>\n
Emergency workers are twice as likely to experience mental ill health than the rest of the population.<\/p>\n
The Police Federation of England and Wales has described a \u201cperfect storm\u201d comprising single crewing, remote supervision, increased demand and reduced capacity.<\/p>\n
Che Donald, the Federation\u2019s lead on Lead on Taser, Firearms and Police Officer Mental Health
\nsaid: \u201cThe fact that more police officers are falling ill is no surprise at all. We have seen a significant decrease in officer numbers while demand remains the same. Officers everywhere are
\nfeeling under pressure.\u201d<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cThe candle is burning at both ends. We can only push police officers so far before they
\nbreak and we are at that critical point right now. We cannot continue to keep public safe if we cannot keep our own officers safe.\u201d<\/p>\n
Giles York, National Workforce Lead for the National Police Chief\u2019s Council and Chief Constable of Sussex Police, said there is more help out there than ever before. He said: \u201cI tell my everyone in my organisation: \u2018I will ask you to do dangerous and difficult things and in return I will make sure I will look after you\u2019.<\/p>\n
Mr York said he would encourage any police officer experiencing low mood to talk to someone, and ensure they are not suffering in silence. He added: \u201cThere is so much out there to help people but this is only good if someone has put their hands up said that they have a problem.\u201d<\/p>\n