'Early intervention' | Police officers to receive expanded mental health support after traumatic incidents

Police officers and staff working in dangerous and traumatic environments are set to receive expanded wellbeing support under a £2.4 million government investment.

The funding will provide around 150,000 clinical psychological risk assessments and 'lighter-touch' mental health checks each year for those in operational roles. The assessments are intended to identify potential problems sooner and direct individuals towards appropriate support before their health deteriorates.

Frontline policing can expose employees repeatedly to death, violence, serious injury and other distressing incidents. The government said the cumulative effects can cause significant physical and psychological harm, with post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental health conditions particularly prevalent among frontline officers.

The measures, which form part of the government’s Police Reform White Paper, will be delivered by the National Police Wellbeing Service (NPWS) across England and Wales.