The Key to a Positive Working Environment
In any workplace, the well-being of your staff is paramount. In environments as demanding as the police force, this becomes even more critical. Imagine being a busy, proactive police officer—someone who’s out there every day, taking risks, making decisions, confronting dangers in the dark. Then, you go home, take off the uniform, and suddenly, there’s nothing more to live for until the next shift. It’s an all-too-common experience for those in service roles. The weight of responsibility, combined with the relentless demands of the job, often leaves officers feeling isolated and disconnected from their personal lives.
For those in specialist roles, this sense of isolation can be even more profound. They’ve seen dangers that most people can’t imagine, and they’ve been tasked with solving problems that many would run away from. Yet, when their own personal lives begin to spiral out of control, they often find they have no one to turn to. Addiction, deprivation, and a sense of being trapped in the job are issues that many service members know all too well. The constant pressure to “make the job work” takes its toll on even the strongest of individuals.
Your position within your tribe!
Everyone falls into a position within their tribe. As an ‘old sweat’ PC, I was the one people looked to for decisions and advice, speaking to supervisors on behalf of the team. In another tribe, as an Assistant Scout Leader, I preferred to help out rather than take charge. I also study Karate, where I am a student, learning and practicing. At home, I wear different hats—Dad, Husband, Big Child, or Grumpy Old Man.
When you put on the uniform of any service, your tribe—the community around you—has expectations. You naturally rise to the challenge, ignoring the chaos as you try to focus on what lies ahead. The reassurance you provide when you arrive on the scene, and the expectation that you’ll take charge, are responsibilities that weigh heavily.
But what happens when these heroes take off their uniforms? When Superman becomes Clark Kent, Spiderman becomes Peter Parker, and Batman becomes Bruce Wayne, they face their personal struggles just like everyone else. They have stories that don’t always end with a triumphant rescue.
Where do you see your position in the various tribes you are part of?
The Silent Struggles
Recently, talking to someone about their drinking can be difficult. “Nobody knows I drink too much,” I’ve heard. “I get home for three days off, and I’ve got nothing else to do, so I start to drink!” It’s a common story, and many are lucky enough to have a support network of friends and family. But what about those who seem to have ‘their sh!t together’ yet have no one to confide in? These individuals can slip through the cracks, hiding their problems and falling into a rut of ‘not coping’ at home.
Having colleagues to talk to at work about how you really feel is crucial. I was fortunate to be in a role where I rarely worked alone. Having mates and colleagues (most of the time dogs) to vent to about work or family issues made a world of difference. Speaking with others who have served in similar roles provides an understanding of a broken system that everyone else sees as a great opportunity. The honest reply, “I know mate, it’s fuc#ed!” can be the honesty someone needs.
Mental Health and Leadership
Within the police, the promotion process often focuses on law and managing police procedures. There’s very little emphasis on managing people. As violent crime increases, exposure to trauma rises, and staff numbers dwindle, mental health should be more than a tick-box referral service. Young managers often see their officers in uniform and within their role in the police tribe, by getting to know their staff, they will see where they fit in in other tribes outside of work.
The case for employers to invest in mentally health in the workplace a Deloitte study 2024:for every £1 spent on employees’ mental health, there is a £4.70 return in reduced absenteeism, improved focus and better mental health. Where is this investment in the public services?
Police social clubs, teams, and even canteens have all but disappeared due to funding cuts. It’s impossible to take a break and switch off in a café or coffee shop when you’re still in full uniform, radio on, with everyone noticing you in the corner.
Therapist, Councillors and well-being is outsourced and at times do not link in with Occupational Health and any recommendations get ignored!
Men often don’t talk about how they feel, women in male-dominated environments may struggle to voice their challenges. It’s on all of us—colleagues, partners, supervisors, and managers—to ask from the heart, “Are you OK?” From experience, you have to ask more than once, don’t accept ‘Im fine!’ and be prepared to listen to the answer. Give people the time to speak if they want or need to.
Mental Health Vs Physical Health
Mental health is just like physical health. We all have it, and we should all aim for peak condition. If I’m getting unfit, I do some exercise to improve it, but the longer I put off exercising, the harder it is to get back on track. The same applies to mental health. Keeping on top of it, allowing yourself to address anxieties or fears, builds resilience. But the more you push issues aside, the more they build.
I plead with supervisors and managers to get to know their team. Do you field the right players for the right jobs? Do you give anyone a rest when needed? Do you know how to get the best out of your staff, or do you push to burn them out?
Your Most Important Asset
The most important asset to any business / service is its staff. Without them, the business wouldn’t happen. Value, trust, teamwork, and recognition go a long way. For years, public services have faced repeated funding cuts, with increased demands wanting more with less. But this can’t continue. The recruitment crisis is evidence that fewer people want to do the job, so those who are doing it need to be supported and rewarded.
If you’re a supervisor or manager, take a moment to think about your team. Are you doing everything you can to ensure their mental health is as strong as their physical health? Are you checking in with them, truly listening to their concerns, and giving them the support they need?
Practical Steps for Supporting Staff
- Be able to talk freely: Encourage a culture where employees feel comfortable discussing their mental health without fear of judgment. Regular check-ins can help identify issues early. Highlighting your mental health DOES NOT damage your career prospects, an excuse by some supervisors have mentioned so they try to avoid dealing with it!
- Do more than signpost to Support Services: Make sure staff have easy access to mental health resources. Organisations like Trojan Wellbeing who offer professional services tailored to those in high-stress roles for emergency services. Assist them through the journey and help them through the minefield of Occupational health to reduce the stresses even more.
- Invest in Mental Health Training: Give managers to and Equip them with the skills needed to support their teams effectively, including spotting signs of mental health issues and be comfortable having supportive conversations.
- Encourage Work-Life Balance: Promote a healthy balance by encouraging breaks, annual leave, and switching off outside of work hours. If staff are burnt out and not there the calls wont be answered anyway, pace the day but make sure there is some ‘downtime’ during the shift.
- Recognise and Reward Efforts: Acknowledge the hard work and dedication of your team. Showing appreciation can significantly boost morale. More than just an email, social team meetings after compulsory training, work from home day or even a day away in another department to embrace the larger police family.
MentallyHealthier creates bespoke packages for businesses or departments to reduce stress in the workplace and create a healthier, motivated, productive staff.
Supporting your staff is not just a responsibility—it’s a strategic investment in your organisation’s success. By fostering a culture of open communication, providing access to support, and recognising the unique needs of each individual, we create a positive, resilient, and thriving work environment. The efforts to support your team today will pay dividends in the long term, ensuring a healthier, happier workforce ready to face the challenges ahead.
If you or someone you know is struggling with the demands of work and life, don’t wait until it’s too late. Visit CPTSDrelief.co.uk to find support and resources tailored to your needs. Together, we can break the cycle and ensure that those who serve us are also cared for.