We must keep talking about mental health

We are supporting Mental Health Awareness Week and have pledged to keep promoting a better understanding of mental health problems, while offering support and wellbeing advice to staff and officers.

The Mental Health Foundation's campaign theme for the week is 'Body Image - a key to better mental health'.

We have decided to take this a step further, focusing on the four significant areas of our Wellness Strategy, and talk about how we can build resilience across every aspect of our lives: mind, body, work and home.

Police and Crime Commissioner Angus Macpherson said: "Mental health related issues now account for 20% of police time in one way or another. Our officers respond to those with mental health problems with care and compassion, but as I have said on numerous occasions, we cannot expect the police service to solve this complex problem alone.

"Wiltshire has been recognised as 'good' for the way it supports those with mental health problems and the progress that's been made locally ensuring that custody has not been used as a place of safety since September 2017.

"This positive step has been aided by the Mental Health Triage team, who were introduced to the Wiltshire Police Control Room in 2015. The specialist team - made up of medical professionals, support staff and officers on the ground - give vital support to officers on the ground who are responding to incidents relating to mental health, and ensure those involved are given the best support.

"Together with Wiltshire Police, I am committed to ensuring that we continue talking about mental health with our own staff and the public".

Wiltshire Police is one of the few forces in the country to have its own dedicated Mental Health Nurse to support staff and officers with the stresses and strains of modern-day work and life.

Usually within 48 hours, a member of the Occupational Health Team will arrange to meet the person face to face to discuss what is on offer to help them get back to work, remain in work and manage their mental health so they can keep working.

Penny Fuller, Head of Occupational Health at Wiltshire Police, said: "There are many mental health issues officers and staff come to us with.

"Stress is one of the big ones - and it's our job to try and help people deal with that so they can keep coming to work and achieve good mental health.

"At the start of Mental Health Awareness Week we have launched a two-week 'Wellbeing Wagon'. Officers and staff can drop in and receive mental health and wellbeing checks, as well as access to cholesterol and blood pressure tests.

"It is so important that we keep talking about mental health and support those individuals who need further help".