Your role is one of the hardest there is. You don’t know what you might face when you get called out, what you or a colleague might hear when you pick up the phone, or what will be being discussed when you turn up for your shift. You might find some incidents, ideas or thoughts stay with you for a long time.
Talking to friends and family can be very helpful. Sometimes, though, it’s hard to get others to imagine what you’ve been through. And while your colleagues might understand, now and then it can feel easier to talk about feelings with people you don’t know.
“We know police officers are five times more likely to suffer from PTSD and yet especially in some of the most demanding roles there is still a stigma about talking about mental health.”
If you want to talk to someone who understands what it is like in the police force, you can call Police Care UK on 0300 012 0030. Their phone line is open from 9am to 5pm from Monday to Friday, and they’ll be able to talk you through support and signpost you to further options.
Call4Backup are a band of colleagues, who provide support to those working in police forces throughout the UK. Access contact info and details on the types of support available.
If you prefer the idea of talking by text, you could also contact Shout. They provide a dedicated support service just for emergency service workers, which you can access by texting BLUELIGHT to 85258 any time.
Police Care UK is the charity for serving and veteran police officers and staff, volunteers and their families who have suffered any physical or psychological harm as a result of policing. They offer practical, emotional and financial support. You can call them on 0300 012 0030.
Shout is the UK’s free 24/7 crisis text line.
They provide a dedicated support service to help emergency services staff look after their own mental health and wellbeing as they work to protect the country in situations that can often be traumatic.
Simply text BLUELIGHT to 85258 to talk by text with one of their trained crisis volunteers.
Whatever you’re going through, Samaritans are there to listen – 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Samaritans offer a safe place for you to talk any time you like, in your own way – about whatever’s getting to you. They won’t judge you or tell you what to do, they’ll listen to you.
Essential services staff who are working on the frontlines can call free on 116 123 to speak in confidence with a trained listening volunteer.
The CALM helpline is there for anyone who needs to talk confidentially about a tough time they are experiencing. Calls are taken by trained staff who are there to listen, support, inform and signpost you to further information. The helpline is open from 5pm to midnight every day, 365 days a year. It is free to call from any landline.
Call the CALM helpline on 0800 58 58 58
Blue Light Together will be closing on 31st July 2023.
Find out more about additional sources of mental health support for the Emergency Services