MENTAL HEALTH HOUSE OF HOPE


April is Stress Awareness Month and Emma Wellock, mental health practitioner at Flint House, talks about the work they do with officers who are struggling to cope


Each year, Flint House Police Rehabilitation Centre in Oxfordshire successfully treats more than 3,000 police officers. Skilled physiotherapists, mental health practitioners and registered nurses enable serving and retired officers return to full duties. I help run a weekly five-day residential programme that aims to improve officers’ knowledge of common mental health conditions. The programme deals with the main themes of depression, anxiety, and stress, and how individuals who think they may have mental health issues could benefit from making one simple phone call. We aim to assist understanding, as people often struggle to connect with their diagnosis. Often, they’ll have the attitude that ‘this is not me,’ or ‘I’m not that person.’ When someone puts their hand up and


says they’re struggling with their mental health, this a really brave thing to do. I never underestimate the bravery of those attending our programme for the first time every Monday.


The 10 officers of mixed genders and


ranks arrive from different forces. They are at different points in their journey and have confidential diagnoses by a GP or force medical officer, with their Fed Rep supporting their application. Initially, there’s always anxiety and


24 | POLICE | APRIL 2022


uncertainty. We send out loads of information in advance, but if you’re struggling with mental health or home life, trying to absorb and reflect on information can be challenging. People don’t know what to expect, so


prior to arrival, Tracey Tozer, our clinical lead, contacts everyone to ensure the programme is suitable. After a call, we assess their distress levels and book them in to visit us or organise advance outreach work to prepare them for the programme.


“When someone puts up their hand and says they’re struggling with their mental health, this is a really brave thing to do”


Everyone should be in the right headspace to get the most out of the week, and there’s a real difference in how people feel after 24 hours. Body language, eye contact and level of engagement is often transformed, and they gel quickly and share helpful strategies. Many are faced with a lack of resources at work or home life issues. There’s a common theme involving officers under pressure, trying to manage their normal lives. If you are concerned about your mental health, you should reach out now and help us to support you earlier. If you are asking the question ‘is this something mental


health related or is this normal worry,’ the simple fact you are asking the question suggests that reaching out would help. It’s not a quick fix, but we offer lifelong learning to help keep things on track. We promote different coping strategies, including exercise and mindfulness, and to cover situations where people can’t eat healthily or get to the gym because of commitments. It’s about making small, sustainable changes, being self- compassionate and treating yourself the way you treat other people. Self-care is vital for maintaining physical and mental health.


How do you recognise you may need help? It could be changes in physical health, or maybe some conflict


in personal relationships. You might see changes in diet, feel burnt out or exhausted, or lack motivation, or you might worry constantly and have a busy mind all the time. Watching officers connect as a group is so rewarding. They do a phenomenal job and it’s an honour to support them. If you are struggling with mental health,


reach out to our team for specialist advice about putting in an application form. You don’t have to commit to anything. You can contact us independently for advice about taking the first steps toward improved mental health.


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36