Hampshire campaign says mental health support needs to be in place for police officers
The Suicide Trauma Education Prevention Campaign aims to reduce the numbers of police officers who take their own lives
A Hampshire campaign's telling us there needs to be more support in the force as it's found there's been more than 100 police suicide-related cases in two years.
Hannah Briggs, a police officer in the safeguarding hub, attended to the murder scene of a girl she knew and experienced suicidal thoughts.
She's telling us she wants to see more mental health and leadership support.
Ms Briggs said: "I think the biggest part is making sure that we are supported, especially when we're on the job.
"Whether that's that we go to some sort of traumatic incidents because trauma can affect people in different ways.
"Some people might need some space, some people might just need some space, some might need to cry or scream.
"But it's about making sure we're checking in after those instances and having time to debrief."
Figures obtained by the Police Federation show that there have been more than 100 police suicide-related cases in two years.
The data reveals that approximately 56 police officers have been lost to suicide between 2022 and 2024 and there have been around 120 attempted suicides during the same time period.
Spencer Wragg, Chair of the Hampshire Police Federation, said: "We have life stress that you will have, you know, this is mortgage payments, relationship issues, those type of things.
"But then in policing, we have all of those things and then we come to work and we deal with really traumatic incidents, really high levels of stressful situations which we expect.
"But we have that life stress on top and that's one of the issues for policing that we deal with a compound of life issues and then the trauma that the job provides or gives to us.
"We have a very professional persona when we're dealing with really traumatic incidents, but it's important we get respite in order to process the incident we've been to and the emotions that may come."
The Federation is also championing the free ‘Stay Alive’ app to its members.
This aims to put suicide prevention support directly in every officer’s pocket offering an anonymous and easy to access recourse for anyone who is experiencing mental health difficulties.
Acting Deputy Chief Constable Robert France said: “We fully support the work being done to highlight the complex issue of trauma and suicide within policing, because we know that our work often exposes us to some incredibly distressing incidents.
“Policing is tough and officers face traumatic situations daily.
"We know that those in policing are ordinary people, who do extraordinary work, and are subject to pressures in their personal lives as well as professional lives.
"A simple conversation can make a huge difference and we need to create an environment where officers and staff feel comfortable speaking about their challenges with people who understand and can help.
“We do not underestimate the emotional and physical toll our work can have on us, so we are committed to ensuring we keep our people healthy, well and resilient, while giving them the tools they need so they know when and how to ask for help.
“Our officers and staff have access to a number of different support services, including a 24-hour support line, as well as post-trauma support and psychological screening for those working in high risk roles.
“We know that there is always more than can be done to improve the support we offer and to ensure that everyone who works for the force feels confident about accessing those support services for themselves, as well as recognising the signs in others.
“We’re regularly building upon the packages available, a key part of which is reducing the stigma around mental health so that people feel they can talk openly about it and fully embed it into our everyday business so that it is always at the forefront of our minds.
“I hope that our continued work in this area emphasises just how important we believe this is in ensuring no one should be left to feel they have to suffer alone.”