New mental health crisis line being trialled for officers in Cambridgeshire
The line will support officers and staff with mental health issues
Last updated 28th Jul 2025
A new mental health crisis line for police officers and staff is being rolled out in Cambridgeshire.
The support line has been backed by the police federation and aims to support staff with mental health issues such as suicidal thoughts.
It's following a successful 12-month trial in the North East.
You can see some of the darkest side of humanity
Police and Crime Commissioner Daryl Preston said:
“In my view is a really rewarding job. And I spent 30 years and, you know, I'm really proud of what I did. But it can be very challenging. You can see some of the darkest side of humanity”.
“I was in child abuse investigation and I saw just that. So it is really important that both officers and staff have the best support they can to carry out this important role.”
Daryl Preston joined the force in 1985 and says “mental health and mental well-being really wasn't on the agenda.”
“Culturally, that has obviously moved forward a long, long way. I'm satisfied that we have things in place here in Cambridgeshire. Can we do more? Well, of course, we can always do more.”
Policing is now recognised as being the profession with the highest mental health-related sickness rates
The crisis line counsellors will provide immediate help in a crisis, keep the callers safe and stable as well as signpost them to more support based on their individual needs, including counselling, therapy or other services.
Call handlers will share their name and then ask for information about the caller’s situation. This is purely to assess the situation, and this information will not be shared – it is completely confidential. No information will be shared with the Force, occupational health or line management.
If there is cause for concern regarding any caller, a follow-up call will be scheduled.
Police officers and staff deal with traumatic events each and every day
Cambridgeshire Police Federation chair Liz Groom has welcomed the launch of a new mental health crisis line for police officers and staff. She said:
"Policing is now recognised as being the profession with the highest mental health-related sickness rates and I think everyone within the police service is concerned about this and the tragic number of officers who take their own lives”.
“The mental health crisis line has been established to ensure that police officers and staff struggling with their mental health or having suicidal thoughts have somewhere to turn to for confidential help."
“It will be operated by fully trained counsellors who, critically, understand the world of policing and the pressures and challenges of a career in the police service."
“Police officers and staff deal with traumatic events each and every day as they go about their duties, serving and protecting their communities. That can understandably have an impact on their mental wellbeing. But, of course, they may also be facing difficulties in their personal lives and they do not go away just because they put on a police uniform. Under that uniform, they can still be coping with relationship, financial or other issues in their home life.”