Mental health crisis line extended to former police employees
A 24-hour mental health crisis line for police officers and staff has been extended to people who have left policing, including those who were dismissed or resigned.
A pilot of the independent and confidential service was launched last year for serving officers and staff in England and Wales and has received more than 440 calls since then.
It is now available to anyone who has previously worked in policing, regardless of their role, when they left or the reason they left.
The Mental Health Crisis Line is intended for people experiencing a mental health crisis or suicidal thoughts and can be reached on 0300 131 2789 at any time.
The service has been developed by Oscar Kilo, the National Police Wellbeing Service, and is delivered in partnership with TASC, The Ambulance Staff Charity.
It is staffed by expert counsellors trained in suicide prevention who have an understanding of both working in policing and the challenges people can face after leaving the service.
Andy Rhodes, service director for the National Police Wellbeing Service, said: “Someone may have left policing, but policing hasn’t quite left them. “It’s a job that has an effect on people – sometimes even years afterwards.”
He said extending the service meant former officers and staff had access to “confidential, independent, 24/7 support” regardless of why they had left. Mr Rhodes added that the crisis line had “saved lives” since its launch.
The extension forms part of wider investment in police wellbeing and the National Police Wellbeing Service’s work under the National Suicide Action Plan for policing.
Specialist bereavement counselling is also available for people affected by the suicide of a colleague.