Thin Blue Line UK has reflected on the publication of new figures via Police Oracle showing a significant increase in the number of police officers across the United Kingdom being signed off work due to mental health-related conditions.

Newly released data has revealed that 19,443 police officers across the UK were absent from work during the last year due to stress, anxiety, depression or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The figure marks a significant increase on the previous year and continues a long term trend that demonstrates the growing psychological pressures faced by those working in policing.

The statistics, obtained through Freedom of Information requests, show that the majority of forces providing comparable data recorded an increase in mental health-related absences. Among the figures released, 371 Sussex Police officers were signed off work during the most recent financial year due to stress, depression, anxiety or PTSD.

Some of the UK's largest police organisations recorded the highest overall numbers of mental health-related absences, while several forces experienced substantial year-on-year increases, further highlighting the challenges facing officers and staff across the service.

The figures were published alongside the Government's announcement of a £2.4 million funding package to strengthen mental health and wellbeing support through the National Police Wellbeing Service. Measures include enhanced psychological risk assessments, trauma monitoring, sleep and recovery support, and continued funding for the national Mental Health Crisis Line.

For Thin Blue Line UK, the latest figures are both sobering and significant. However, the charity says they reinforce concerns it has been raising for some time. Last year, Thin Blue Line UK Trustee Andrea Quinton publicly described the growing mental health challenges facing policing as a "Critical Incident", warning of the cumulative impact of repeated trauma exposure, rising operational demand, workforce pressures and the emotional burden carried daily by officers and staff across the United Kingdom. The charity said at the time that the wellbeing of those serving on the frontline required urgent attention, and believes the latest figures further underline the seriousness of the issue.

Bev a Trustee of Thin Blue Line UK, said "As a charity, we are shocked by the scale of these figures, but sadly we are not surprised. Last year, we described the mental health situation facing policing as a Critical Incident because we were already seeing first hand the pressures officers and staff were experiencing across the United Kingdom. Every day, police officers work tirelessly to support their communities, stand shoulder-to-shoulder with their colleagues and uphold the values of the thin blue line. They deserve access to the very best wellbeing support available.

We welcome the work currently being undertaken by the Home Office and the positive engagement we have experienced through invitations to attend meetings and discussions focused on officer wellbeing. We have been pleased to contribute to those conversations and work alongside partners to help strengthen the support available across policing. A recent example of this is our engagement with Oscar Kilo, where we have shared learning and best practice from our successful police wellbeing retreats. We hope that by working together, similar approaches can be developed and adopted on a wider national scale, supported by the investment and resources available through central government-funded wellbeing programmes. However, there is no doubt that more still needs to be done if we are to reverse the growing mental health challenges facing officers and staff".

Thin Blue Line UK says the figures should serve as a reminder that behind every absence statistic is an individual officer who has dedicated themselves to public service, often while regularly dealing with traumatic incidents and significant personal pressures.

Gary, the Chair and also a Trustee of Thin Blue Line UK, added "If you are a police officer reading this and struggling, please know that you are not alone and that support is available. As a charity, we are here to help. Through our partnership with THRIVE, we provide a free mental wellbeing support service to police officers right across the United Kingdom. Officers can access the THRIVE app and confidentially connect with qualified therapists through an in-app therapy tool, available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The service is completely free and is designed to ensure officers can access support quickly and discreetly whenever they need it.

We also provide access to additional wellbeing opportunities, including our wellbeing retreats and our annual Police Week programme delivered alongside our colleagues and friends in Denmark. These initiatives are designed to give officers time to focus on their own wellbeing, build resilience and connect with others who understand the realities of policing. No officer should ever feel they have to face these challenges alone. Whether you need immediate support, professional therapeutic help or simply the opportunity to step back and reset, Thin Blue Line UK is here for you".

As a charity Thin Blue Line UK has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting serving officers, staff and their families, while continuing to work with policing partners, wellbeing organisations and government stakeholders to improve the mental health support available across the profession.

The charity says that while the increased investment in wellbeing services is welcome, the latest figures demonstrate the need for continued focus, collaboration and long-term commitment to ensuring those who protect the public receive the support they deserve.

If you need help, please contact us here at Thin Blue Line UK. And if you’re concerned about a colleague, tell them all about us as a charity, we would love to hear from them and encourage them to reach out to us too.

You can reach out for support available at Thin Blue Line UK by clicking HERE.