New statistics reveal alarming mental health struggles among police officers
Edinburgh: Since 2019, police officers in Scotland have taken over 440,000 days off due to mental health issues like anxiety and stress. That’s a huge number, right?
These stats come at a time when burnout is on the rise, with fewer officers available to meet increasing demands. It’s a tough situation.
Days off for mental health have jumped from about 63,800 in 2019/20 to nearly 96,500 in 2023/24. That’s a staggering 51.3% increase!
And just in the first half of 2024, over 52,000 days have already been lost. It’s clear something needs to change.
Police Scotland is trying to help by investing £17 million in a welfare package, which includes a 24/7 support program for officers. That’s a step in the right direction.
Justice Secretary Angela Constance mentioned that the police force is getting record funding to help boost frontline services. But is it enough?
David Kennedy, the general secretary of the SPF, wrote in 1919 Magazine that mental health issues are a crisis that’s not being addressed properly. He pointed out that officers face traumatic situations regularly, yet the support they get isn’t enough.
He stressed that it’s not just about recognizing the problem; real investment in mental health services is crucial. Things like peer support and counseling should be top priorities.
Mr. Kennedy warned that policing in Scotland is at a breaking point. Officers want to serve their communities, but they need the right tools and support to do so.
He cautioned that if these issues aren’t tackled, it won’t just affect the police; communities will feel the impact too.
The Scottish Liberal Democrats, who got these stats through a freedom of information request, are calling for more support for officers. Liam McArthur, their justice spokesperson, said it’s sad to see so many officers feeling overwhelmed.
Justice Secretary Angela Constance acknowledged the hard work of police officers and emphasized the need for support. She mentioned that despite financial challenges, they’ve increased police funding significantly this year.
She also noted that Scotland has more police officers per capita than England and Wales, which is a positive point. The Chief Constable is committed to ensuring officers have access to various services for their well-being.
