Policing can be a really rewarding career, but it can also be extremely challenging. Exposure to traumatic incidents and long hours – on top of the pressures someone may be facing away from the job – can all take a toll on mental health. That’s why police suicide prevention is such an important issue to us.
This post at a glance
Here's a quick summary of what you'll find in this post. Scroll down to explore each topic in more depth.
- Immediate police suicide support: if you’re close to breaking point or feeling suicidal, call the Oscar Kilo Mental Health Crisis Line for immediate support: 0300 131 2789
- Spotting the signs that someone is at breaking point: if someone is feeling suicidal, they may not reach out for help directly, but there are signs you can look out for, including what they say, what they do and changes in behaviour.
- Supporting someone if you think they may be suicidal: there are ways you can provide support, including starting the conversation about their wellbeing and regularly checking in.
- Understanding why someone may feel suicidal: policing can take a toll on mental health. Life can also get tough for many other reasons. Whatever the cause, a person doesn’t have to face these challenges alone.
- How else Oscar Kilo helps to prevent police suicide: our National Suicide Action Plan helps forces support their teams through education and stress management. We also help facilitate specialist bereavement counselling for anyone who has been affected by the suicide of a colleague or family member working in policing.
Continue reading to explore each topic in more detail.
Immediate police suicide prevention support
If you’re close to breaking point or feeling suicidal, call the Oscar Kilo Mental Health Crisis Line for immediate support:
- The 24/7 Crisis Line is completely independent and confidential.
- It’s available to everyone in policing in England and Wales, including serving, former and anyone who may suspended or under investigation.
Once you call the Crisis Line, you’ll speak to a qualified counsellor trained in supporting people in crisis and experienced in working with blue light personnel. The Crisis Line counsellors understand the lived experience of police staff and officers and can provide immediate police suicide prevention support.
The call won’t end until the caller is stable and no longer in distress – however long this takes. In addition to providing in-the-moment support, the call handler will also signpost to additional help and useful resources. If a caller experiences a further mental health crisis, they can call the Crisis Line as many times as they need.
Spotting the signs that someone is at breaking point
Someone who’s feeling suicidal may not ask for help directly. If you’re worried about a colleague or loved one in policing, there are signs you can look out for:
What they say
- Talking about feeling hopeless or like they’re a burden.
- Mentioning death or expressing suicidal thoughts.
How they act
- Withdrawing from others or avoiding colleagues and social situations.
- Noticeable changes in behaviour or mood.
- Seeming consistently low, flat or much more negative than usual.
- Taking more risks than they normally would.
- Demostrating self-harming behaviour
Personal life
- Significant changes or struggles in their home or personal life – it could be a separation from a partner, financial worry or the recent loss of a loved one.
- Changes in routines or habits – neglecting self-care, drinking more, using substances, gambling.
Supporting someone if you think they’re feeling suicidal
If you’re worried that a colleague or loved one who works in policing may be having suicidal thoughts, it can be hard to know what to do. But there are ways you can support them:
- Talk to them: start the conversation – and ask them how they’re really feeling. If it feels appropriate, don’t be afraid to ask the question: “Are you having suicidal thoughts?” This won’t put ideas in their head. It shows you care and helps reduce stigma.
- Listen: give them space to speak. But if they don’t want to speak at first, don’t push too hard.
- Keep checking in: showing that you’re there for them can make all the difference, it can also help someone open up at their own speed.
- If you think someone is in crisis, and they work in policing: let them know about our Mental Health Crisis Line. They should immediately call: 0300 131 2789
For more information about supporting someone who’s struggling, check out the Blue Light Card Foundation’s suicide awareness guide.
The Blue Light Card Foundation is a charity that provides support for those who work in the emergency services, including policing.
Understanding what can trigger suicidal thoughts
Policing can be an extremely stressful and high‑pressure profession. People working in policing may witness between 400 and 600 traumatic incidents during their career. The average person will witness only a few in their lifetime. This level of exposure can have a significant impact on mental health.
But things can also become difficult for many other reasons. It is not always about the job. What matters is recognising that you don’t have to face any of it alone.
The Mental Health Crisis Line gives everyone in policing access to reliable crisis support when they most need it – no matter the cause. It's totally confidential and we know the crisis line has already saved lives.
How we’re helping to prevent police suicide within forces
Suicide prevention is a key topic in policing. That’s why we launched our National Suicide Action Plan for policing – to help forces support their teams.
The action plan focuses on educating and supporting the workforce, reducing stress, and improving the way information is recorded. It also aims to build a culture that supports mental health, where seeking help and looking after your wellbeing is the norm.
The plan ensures that anyone affected by suicide or suicidal thoughts can access the right support at the right time. Alongside the Mental Health Crisis Line, specialist bereavement counselling is available for those who have been affected by the suicide of a colleague or family member working in policing.