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Mental health in policing is becoming a greater focus for UK police federations and forces. That focus is good news when you consider one in five police officers will suffer from PTSD or complex PTSD.

When AnonyMind representatives – passionate about individualised treatment for people suffering from mental ill-health – met Cheshire Police Federation’s Dan Lever, it led to a ground-breaking initiative offering tailored support to officers in crisis.

Mental health in policing – getting the right support

Dan Lever is Cheshire Police Federation’s equality and wellbeing lead. He recognises there is no one-size-fits-all answer to mental health. And through his partnership with AnonyMind, the Federation provides its police officers a critical level of treatment for complex mental health needs, including trauma and PTSD.

Speaking about why and how the partnership with AnonyMind began, Dan says: “For those police officers who had more complex mental ill health issues, we needed more intensive, bespoke treatment. We were reaching a point where the support for some wasn’t enough – it wasn’t making them any better. Neither mental health charities nor occupational health could help.

“I had a conversation with a police officer who required stage four treatment for mental health, which is really severe. The NHS told him there was a waiting list of at least two years. Well, that two years we may never get to that point. We were losing people along the way.”

Our team are experts in complex mental health challenges, and the personalised, intensive treatment that leads to recovery. And Dan was given AnonyMind’s details by a colleague in another force.

We worked with Dan to immediately get the officers who needed help into life-changing and life-saving intensive treatment with our psychologists. The service received its first referral in February 2022.

Mental health in policing – trauma and absenteeism

One in five police offers will suffer from PTSD or complex PTSD. And, they will also experience 400 to 600 traumatic incidents during their careers – compared to the usual four to six. So, police officers are subsequently at greater risk of suffering from trauma-related mental ill health.

Additionally, a study of recorded absences from work of UK police employees suggests police employee absence due to psychological ill health, trauma, and stress nearly doubled in the past 10 years to an absence rate of 8.82%. The same study found that 39% of those who take a first leave of absence due to mental ill health go on to take further absences from work.

These are some of the reasons why Dan is placing education and prevention at the forefront of his work. He is encouraging people to ask for support sooner, to help prevent the higher risks and need for intensive treatment.

Meanwhile he is dealing with the fact that everyone’s mental health experiences are different. And some people won’t talk or seek support until their mental ill health reaches severe crisis. This means putting in the various levels of support needed is vital.

Mental health in policing – recovery

Dan believes that the treatment provided to his officers has been transformational, and life-saving. He says: “We review how our officers feel it’s going. They are over the moon with the treatment, the specialists they speak to, and the difference it’s making. In particular for one of the officers – I feared for his safety, his personal life – his marriage, and his job. I saw no way at that point [the start of his treatment] of him ever going back to policing. And neither did he. He couldn’t even talk about policing.

“And although we still have some way to go, we’re now in conversations about him going back to work. If that isn’t a testament to the treatment, then I don’t know what is. We’ve quite likely saved the career, potentially the life of a serving officer.”

Watch our full video interview with Dan Lever for greater insight into our work, and the officers we support:

We can support your people too!

Don’t wait. Contact us today to discuss how we can immediately start treating your people, to move them into recovery from crisis:

➡️ hello@AnonyMind.com

International Recovery Day is a non-profit organisation that promotes all recovery pathways from addiction worldwide. It aims to educate the public about the value of addiction recovery. 

And this year, it’s aiming for the sky with a unique virtual fireworks event.

How did International Recovery Day start, and how can you get involved in the celebration?

Having retired from a life-long career in the addiction prevention and treatment realm, its Founder, John Winslow, shifted his energies to build bridges within recovery communities. 

He experienced widespread support for the concept of an international event linking individuals, families, and recovery communities. So, a Steering Committee was formed, non-profit status was secured, and a Facebook page was established to build further support, recognition, and connectivity within the global recovery community.

The organisation’s overarching goal is to connect recovering individuals, families, and communities globally to provide hope to overcome addiction. 

International Recovery Day objectives

• To heighten awareness of the value of recovery and how individuals in recovery transform from being part of the problem to part of the solution
• To demonstrate to the recovery community and all of humanity how diverse, widespread, passionate, positive, committed, and connected a force we are
• To shift the focus of the ravages of addiction from “the problem” to “the solution”
• To connect individuals and organisations worldwide from all Recovery pathways
• To celebrate the Recovery Experience
• To raise awareness that there are many pathways to recovery – no “wrong doors”
• To offer hope to all individuals (and their loved ones) regarding the power and value of recovery

How can you get involved in International Recovery Day?

International Recovery Day itself is a free online event, globally celebrated on September 30, 2022. The unique event is a one-of-a-kind historic online experience during which, you can launch your own celebratory virtual firework.

To take part in the celebration of the hope and help offered through different recovery paths, you can register below:

Registration

And please remember, AnonyMind is here to support anyone in the UK with free, confidential, online treatment for gambling-related harms. 

You can access our free self-help library here

And book free gambling addiction treatment here

By working in partnership with Andy Reid MBE and his Standing Tall Foundation at AnonyMind, we’ve seen their commitment to Mental Health and helping others first-hand.

Now, the former soldier is attempting to climb Mount Kilimanjaro on the 13th anniversary of the explosion in Afghanistan that made him a triple amputee.

In his attempt to summit Africa’s highest mountain, Andy aims to show what amputees can achieve while raising funds for his charity.

Good luck, Andy -we’re all shouting for you!

You can sponsor Andy’s climb and follow his journey, here:
➡️ Just Giving
➡️ Standing Tall Foundation

EDIT: We’re seeing some incredible updates from Andy Reid MB and his team and he begins his climb:

Inside our Q2 2022 report, you’ll find unique insights and trends based on AnonyMind gambling addiction treatment data.

Do you have any questions about the report, our services, or have interest in helping to fund treatment? Please contact AnonyMind’s chief operating officer, Andy Atha: andyatha@anonymind.com or contact us here.

Inside AnonyMind’s Q1 report, you’ll find unique insights and trends based on our gambling addiction treatment data.

Do you have any questions about the report, our services, or have interest in helping to fund treatment? Please contact AnonyMind’s chief operating officer, Andy Atha: andyatha@anonymind.com or contact us here.