NEWS DON’T SUFFER IN SILENCE


International Suicide Prevention Day on Tuesday 10 September aims to raise awareness of this most sensitive of issues and encourage difcult but potentially lifesaving conversations. Becky Dearden reports


If you’ve ever thought about taking your life, sadly you are not alone. It is the official cause of death for up to 20 serving police officers every year.


Suicide is a sensitive and complex issue.


Data is unreliable – and many forces don’t collect it at all. The Police Federation is pressing for that to change – and for coroners to establish whether someone who has taken their own life has ever been a police officer. Currently only serving officers are included in the statistics. Belinda Goodwin, Secretary of


the Police Federation’s Wellbeing Sub-Committee, said: “Last year we launched our mental health campaign, Hear ‘Man Up’, Think ‘Man Down’. The message to officers is that we must take mental health issues seriously. It’s no longer acceptable to tell colleagues or ourselves to ‘man up and get on with it’. Otherwise more officers will continue lose their lives. We need to look out for one another’s mental wellbeing as seriously as we take protecting colleagues’ physical safety.” Emergency services workers are twice as likely than the public to identify problems at


Sean’s story


In 2016, Sean (a police officer with 20 years’ service) stood in the kitchen with the intention of committing self-harm with the sharpest knife he could find. He didn’t want to die – the thought of his loving wife and children stopped him crossing that line – but he was overwhelmed with emotion, isolation and frustration and, for a few minutes at least, felt like hurting himself was the only way he could show people he was struggling. This desperate cry for attention


was the culmination of more than a year of dealing with his mental health, following a 100mph car crash while in pursuit of a suspect. Initially, Sean talked to everyone


about the accident, believing that it would help him process what happened and move on. But as the months passed his behaviour became erratic. He was provoking arguments at home and


30 | POLICE | SEPTEMBER 2020


work as the main cause of their mental health problems, but they are also significantly less likely to seek help. That’s why the Federation has invested in the Welfare Support Programme – a 24-7 helpline for officers, manned by trained advisors who can signpost you to the help you need. Referral is through your local Police Federation rep.


You can also contact the Samaritans on 116 123 or Mind’s Blue Light campaign on 0300 303 599 (0900-1800 M-F).


everyday tasks like changing his clothes or brushing his teeth began to seem pointless. He said: “People I had known for years


were refusing to look at me as we passed in the corridor. If you are already feeling low, that just makes it worse and reinforces the idea that people don’t care. It’s a missed opportunity because that could have been the time you were ready to open up or were reaching breaking point and they could have helped.” It took an ultimatum from his wife


for Sean to realise how bad things had become. He contacted the Employee Assistance Programme and, with a tentative diagnosis of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), was referred to Surrey’s Force psychologist. Following his experience, Sean has


launched two Facebook groups – UK Police PTSD Network and UK Police MH Support Network for officers to talk about their experiences with others who have been through similar things.


Putting wellbeing to the fore


Gwent Police Federation has appointed Annalea Kift as its first full-time Wellbeing and Conduct Officer. She will have a firm focus on officer welfare while also supporting officers with conduct, performance and attendance matters. Her role is funded by the Force reflecting the value senior officers place on wellbeing and the Federation’s part in supporting officers. “I think the most


challenging aspect of the role will be assisting members at potentially the most stressful times of their careers and managing expectations. This can also be flipped around and will be the aspect I enjoy the most – helping people,” said Annalea. Gwent’s former Conduct


and Performance Lead was Sue Connikie who has now retired after four decades with the Force and 36 years with the Federation, first as a workplace rep and then in lead roles and office positions. Maria Henry, branch


Chair, said: “Sue’s contribution to the Federation and to the Force has been vast. She has helped countless members and embodies everything that we’re about.”


Sue Connikie (left) with Annalea Kift


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