ONE in five officers visiting the Police Treatment Centres are seeking help for non-physical issues, such as work-related stress, anxiety or depression.<\/p>\n
The charity has dispelled the myth that it only provides treatment to officers with physical injuries, pointing out that 21 per cent of officers attending the centres in 2012 attended for non-physical reasons.<\/p>\n
It offers support for officers suffering a range of mental health issues, including for those with post-traumatic stress disorder or officers dealing with a bereavement or life-changing illness.\u00a0The centres offer complementary therapies, a confidential listening service, psychological acupressure, as well as help with relaxation techniques and coping strategies.<\/p>\n
The charity has dispelled several other misconceptions about the Treatment Centres in a bid to encourage officers to donate \u00a31.30 a week so they can receive treatment for free if they are injured or fall ill.<\/p>\n
It has pointed out that officers do not have to be injured on duty to be eligible for treatment. The Police Treatment Centres \u00a0provide expert police-specific treatment following an injury on or off duty. A spokeswoman for the charity added that not all treatment is residential as some might believe. \u201cIf you live within an hour\u2019s travelling distance of the Police Treatment Centres you can be assessed for out-patient treatment which you can fit around your work shifts,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Another common misconception is that there is no point in joining if you care for young children. But the charity has pointed out that both centres have self-catering cottages, where officers with young children can apply to stay and bring a partner or friend to care for their children whilst they receive treatment.<\/p>\n
For an additional 20p a week the St George\u2019s Police Children Trust will provide support for officers\u2019 children should they become unable to work or, in a worst case scenario, lose their life.<\/p>\n
Contact the Federation to begin making contributions and be eligible for support straight away should the need arise.<\/p>\n
For more information about the Police Treatment Centres visit www.thepolicetreatmentcentres.org.<\/p>\n
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