Rise in Police Officers Taking Time Off for Mental Ill Health

A staggering 1,050 Greater Manchester Police officers were signed off work last year due to stress, depression, anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder, a Freedom of Information request has revealed.

This is a 2% increase on the previous year, when 1,028 Greater Manchester Police officers were signed off for mental health reasons.

Across the UK, over 17,700 police officers were signed off for mental health reasons in the financial year 2024-25, which is 22% up on last year and a huge 182% higher than when Police Oracle first ran the survey 12 years ago. Of the 45 forces that provided figures both this year and last year, 33 reported an increased number of officers being signed off for mental ill health.

Mike Peake, Chair of Greater Manchester Police Federation, said: “Policing is a vocation like no other – police officers see some horrific sights and deal with more violent, stressful and traumatic incidents than ever before.

“As such, it comes as no surprise that 1,050 Greater Manchester Police officers were signed off work in the past year due to mental health issues, but what is particularly concerning is that figure has risen once more.”

Paul Williams, Wellbeing Lead of the Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW), said that the national figures were “very worrying”. He said: “Behind each mental health condition, you’ve got an individual who’s going through incredible trauma, which has a significant impact not just on them, but on their family, marriage and career. It can be devastating.”

Paul said it was “a demonstration of the complexities of policing, a demonstration of the budget cuts over the past 15 years, and the lack of increase in pay for police officers. All this has contributed to an extreme rise in mental ill health within the police, and it’s only going to keep rising if there’s no intervention”.

To try to help officers who are struggling with mental health issues, a new 24-hour Mental Health Crisis Line on 0300 131 2789 has been launched by The National Police Wellbeing Service, Oscar Kilo. It is staffed by expert counsellors to support those working in policing who are experiencing a mental health crisis or suicidal thoughts. It is confidential and completely independent – no information will be shared with the force, Occupational Health departments or line management.

Mike said: “Much more needs to be done to acknowledge the constant difficulties that police officers face every day, and I welcome the launch of the new Mental Health Crisis Line for police officers and staff. Suicide among police officers is alarmingly on the increase, and it is my hope that the crisis line will go some way to address this.”