A new 24\/7 Mental Health Crisis Line for police officers and staff is \u201cmassively important\u201d, South Yorkshire Police Federation has said.<\/p>\n
Oscar Kilo has launched a pilot of the Mental Health Crisis Line \u2013 initially in the North East region, including South Yorkshire \u2013 to offer immediate, confidential and expert support to officers who are struggling.<\/p>\n
South Yorkshire Police Federation Chair Steve Kent said: \u201cI\u2019m in discussions with the force about how and when this is being rolled out, but this is a welcome addition to our mental health support for our officers. Officers can also access 24\/7 counselling through our Group Insurance, and the force also has 24\/7 counselling support.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut building up this resource is massively important for police officers. Since I\u2019ve been Federation Chair, sadly there have been four suicides among our officers. Often their friends and colleagues say: \u2018If we\u2019d only have known, we would have helped\u2019.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf those people who are struggling with their mental health reach out, pick up the phone and make that phone call, it could help prevent them from doing something drastic.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs a Federation, we need to be front and centre about this so that people sit up and listen. After the election, I\u2019m going to write to all new local MPs and MPs who have been re-elected and talk to them about this issue.\u201d<\/p>\n