FOI 379582

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST REFERENCE NO: 379582

I write in connection with your request for information which was received on 20^th December 2024.  Please find below the response to your request:

1. How many police officers have taken sick leave during the period 01/01/2023-31/12/2023?

2. How many of those sickness absences were attributed to mental health?

3. For police officers taking mental health related sickness within this period what were the mental health conditions cited?

4. How many serving police officers committed suicide between the period of 01/01/2023-31/01/2024?

5. Could data pertaining to sickness absence, conditions and suicide be sectioned into the demographics of age, gender and rank?

6. What Mental Health Services are made available for police officers experiencing poor mental health within this organisation?

Reply

Section 1 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 places two duties on public authorities. Unless exemptions apply, the first duty at section 1 (1) (a) is to confirm or deny whether the information specified in a request is held. The second duty at section 1(1) (b) is to disclose information that has been confirmed as being held.

In respect of the first duty at section 1 (1) (a) I can confirm that West Mercia Police does hold information in respect of your request. Please see below:-

1. How many police officers have taken sick leave during the period 01/01/2023-31/12/2023?

1. 2491

2. How many of those sickness absences were attributed to mental health?

1. 277

3. For police officers taking mental health related sickness within this period what were the mental health conditions cited?

1. Anxiety
2. Bereavement
3. Depression
4. Depression/Anxiety
5. PTSD
6. Stress
7. Stress (Personal)
8. Stress (Work Related)
9. Stress Related Illness

4. How many serving police officers committed suicide between the period of 01/01/2023-31/01/2024?

1. 0

5. Could data pertaining to sickness absence, conditions and suicide be sectioned into the demographics of age, gender and rank?

6. What Mental Health Services are made available for police officers experiencing poor mental health within this organisation?

Mental Health Services available include:

• Occupational Health
• Employee Assistance Programme with 24/7 helpline and access to counselling as required.
• Self help podcasts/workbooks and information available via the EAP website
• Welfare support
• Access to counselling/psychological support for trauma/complex mental health issues via welfare referrals.
• Psychological surveillance for officers in high risk roles
• Currently piloting Police Trauma Exposure Checklist (PTEC)
• Critical Incident Debriefing process for officers exposed to traumatic incidents
• Mental Health Nurse
• Individual and team stress assessments utilising the HSE Six Management Standards
• Mental Health First Aiders
• Wellbeing dogs
• Peer Supporters