Police Scotland Faces Crisis as Mental Health Absences Surge by 50%
Police Scotland reports a staggering 50% rise in mental health-related absences, raising alarms about officer wellbeing and support.
Glasgow, Scotland, Mental Health, Police, Absences, Support
Glasgow: Recent stats show that Police Scotland is really struggling with mental health issues. Sick days due to mental health problems have jumped over 50% in just five years.
Since 2019, officers have taken almost 441,000 days off for issues like anxiety and stress. This info comes from 1919 Magazine, and it’s got everyone worried about burnout among the police.
To break it down, the days off for mental health went from about 63,800 in 2019/20 to nearly 96,500 in 2023/24. That’s a big jump of 51.3%. Just this year, from April to September, over 52,000 days have already been lost.
The head of the Scottish Police Federation (SPF) has warned that “policing in Scotland is at a breaking point.” David Kennedy, the SPF general secretary, pointed out that mental health issues are not being addressed properly.
He mentioned that officers face traumatic situations regularly, but the support they need just isn’t there. It’s a serious issue when so many officers are off due to stress and PTSD.
David stressed that it’s not enough to just recognize the problem; real investment in mental health services is crucial. He believes that peer support and counseling should be top priorities, not just afterthoughts.
He added that the reality is tough. Officers want to serve their communities, but they need the right tools and support to do their jobs effectively.
If things don’t change, the impact will be felt across all communities in Scotland. It’s time for leaders to step up and prioritize policing.
The Scottish Liberal Democrats are also calling for more support for officers. Justice spokesperson MSP Liam McArthur said it’s sad to see so many officers feeling overwhelmed.
He warned that if mental health support continues to be deprioritized, more officers might leave the force.
In response, the police are investing £17 million in a welfare package, which includes a 24/7 employee assistance program. Justice Secretary MSP Angela Constance mentioned that the force will receive record funding to help boost frontline services.
She highlighted that police officers do an amazing job and deserve all the support they can get. Despite financial challenges, they’ve managed to increase police funding significantly this year.
Scotland has more police officers per capita than England and Wales, with numbers expected to rise even more soon.
Deputy Chief Constable Alan Speirs emphasized that the health and wellbeing of officers is a top priority. They’re focusing on mental health and have invested in new support services to help officers get back to work.