POLICING is in a \u2018desperate\u2019 state says South Yorkshire Police Federation as figures reveal 217 officers in the constabulary took time off with mental health illnesses last year.<\/p>\n
Nationally there\u2019s been a 55% rise in officers taking time away from their duties due to stress, PTSD, depression or anxiety over the last six years.\u00a0\u201cIt illustrates the desperate position we are in,\u201d said South Yorkshire Police Federation Chair Zuleika Payne.<\/p>\n
One way to ease the situation, she believes, would be to ensure that other services are properly resourced in order to pick up duties currently being placed on officers\u2019 shoulders.<\/p>\n
\u201cOfficers are having to take on so much and austerity has impacted not only on us but also on how some of our partners and other services operate.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe announcement has been made that the NHS will receive a cash boost \u2013 and rightly so. What we need to see is serious investment all our partners, in order to improve service delivery. The success of partnership working relies on each one bringing something to the table with their specific areas of expertise. For example, those with mental ill health issues being dealt with by medical professionals who are appropriately placed to do so. Rather than Police officers trying to do so to good effect but without the training and suitable resources.<\/p>\n
\u201cDoing what we do at the moment is just piling the pressure on officers and they are under considerable strain already.\u201d<\/p>\n
She says given the extra demands officers are expected to meet it\u2019s no wonder that the stress and anxiety figures are so alarmingly high.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s no surprise unfortunately,\u201d she said, \u201cbut we just can\u2019t afford officers to break, it\u2019s not in anyone\u2019s interest.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are lots of initiatives designed to help and support them, MIND and the Blue Light Campaign for example and also the force\u2019s own Wellbeing initiative with its own champions.<\/p>\n
\u201cUltimately the message to officers has to be, don\u2019t be afraid to speak up if you have concerns or symptoms, not just about yourself but your colleagues too,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n
\u201cTimes have changed, feel confident coming forward and speaking out, you will be listened to and supported.\u201d<\/p>\n