Understanding the mental health and wellbeing needs of police officers and staff in Scotland

Demou, E. , Hale, H. and Hunt, K. (2020) Understanding the mental health and wellbeing needs of police officers and staff in Scotland. Police Practice and Research, 21(6), pp. 702-716. (doi: 10.1080/15614263.2020.1772782)

Abstract

Police work can be stressful and demanding and can impact on employee wellbeing. This study aimed to understand mental health (MH) issues and risk factors for poor MH in officers and staff of the Police Service of Scotland (PSoS); and gather their ideas of workplace wellbeing interventions that are suitable for this workforce. Face-to-face/telephone interviews were conducted with 30 Superintendents and eight stakeholders, recruited throughout PSoS. Interview topics included: MH issues; health/health behaviours; employment; and potentially beneficial workplace interventions. A thematic analysis approach was adopted. High levels of occupational stress and anxiety, currently or in the past, were reported, as were experiences of PTSD, anxiety and depression. The main stressors reported were working hours, workload, culture, leadership and organisational change. Officers and staff recognised progress towards promoting and managing MH in the service but identified interventions, including training, counselling, and environmental workplace changes as needed to address mental health issues within police cultures.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Hunt, Professor Kathryn and Demou, Dr Evangelia
• Authors: Demou, E., Hale, H., and Hunt, K.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > MRC/CSO SPHSU
• Journal Name: Police Practice and Research
• Publisher: Taylor and Francis
• ISSN: 1561-4263
• ISSN (Online): 1477-271X
• Published Online: 09 June 2020
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2020 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Police Practice and Research 21(6:)702–716
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

Project Code	Award No	Project Name	Principal Investigator	Funder's Name	Funder Ref	Lead Dept
72764	1	Understanding and Improving Health within Settings and Organisations	Kathryn Hunt	Medical Research Council (MRC)	MC_UU_12017/12	HW - MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit
72764	1	Understanding and Improving Health within Settings and Organisations	Kathryn Hunt	Office of the Chief Scientific Adviser (CSO)	SPHSU12	HW - MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit
168560		MRC SPHSU/GU Transfer Fellowships	Laurence Moore	Medical Research Council (MRC)	MC_PC_13027	SHW - MRC/CSO Social & Public Health Sciences Unit