Sign inPlans

You don’t have to carry it alone.

Policing puts you in front of things most people never see. If it’s weighing on you, or on someone you work with, here’s where to get help, from right now to the longer term.

Need help right now?

Support built for policing

Charities and services that understand the job, for officers, staff, volunteers and their families.

Help inside your force

Every force has support of its own. Your intranet will say how to reach it.

Occupational health
Confidential health support at work, including referrals for counselling and adjustments to your duties.
Employee assistance programme
Most forces offer a free, confidential helpline, often 24/7, with counselling for you and sometimes your family.
TRiM
Trauma risk management: trained colleagues who check in after a traumatic incident, and again a few weeks on.
Wellbeing and peer support
Wellbeing leads, peer supporters, chaplains and staff networks: people who’ve been there.
Your GP
Your doctor can help too, and can refer you to NHS talking therapies, which you can also refer yourself to in England.

Find your Police Federation

The Police Federation represents constables, sergeants and inspectors. Your local branch can support members with welfare, sickness absence and the processes that go with it, and knows what help your force offers.

43 forces

Superintendents and chief superintendents are represented by the Police Superintendents’ Association. Police staff should speak to their union. Links are from thePolice Federation’s list of local Federations.

Worried about a colleague?

You don’t need the right words. Showing up is most of it.

  1. Ask, then ask again. “How are you?” gets “fine”. “No, really, how are you doing?” gets the truth.
  2. Listen. You don’t have to fix it. Let them talk.
  3. Point them to help: their GP, occupational health, their Federation or one of the lines above.
  4. If their life is at risk, stay with them and call 999.
  5. Look after yourself too. Supporting someone takes it out of you.

Money worries

Debt and stress feed each other. Free, confidential advice:

Questions people ask

Where can police officers get mental health support?

Start with your force: occupational health, the employee assistance programme and wellbeing or peer support. Outside the force, Police Care UK supports officers, staff and their families, and the Police Federation can help members. In a crisis, call Samaritans on 116 123 or text BLUELIGHT to 85258.

Is there a mental health helpline for police officers?

Shout runs a free, 24/7 text line for emergency services staff: text BLUELIGHT to 85258. Samaritans is free on 116 123 at any time. Many forces also have a 24/7 confidential employee assistance line; check your intranet.

What is TRiM in the police?

Trauma risk management: a peer-support process many forces use after a traumatic incident. Trained colleagues check in with the people involved, and again a few weeks later, to spot anyone who needs more help.

Can the Police Federation help with my mental health?

Yes. Your local Federation branch can support members with welfare, sickness absence and the processes that go with them, and point you to help. Find your branch in the list on this page.

How can I help a colleague who is struggling?

Ask how they are, then ask again and mean it. Listen without trying to fix it, encourage them to talk to someone (their GP, occupational health or a helpline), and if you think their life is at risk, don’t leave them alone and call 999.

Points to Prove isn’t a support service and isn’t connected to the organisations listed. This page points to help; it isn’t medical advice. Studying for an exam on top of shifts? Our study plans leave nights free by default.