Police officers urged to talk about mental health

A video featuring police officers talking about their struggles with mental health has been created in a bid to help colleagues open up about their feelings.

The film, released by North Yorkshire Police Federation, also features members of the force discussing their experiences of a loved one taking their own life.

A total of 210 police officers in England and Wales took their own lives between 2011-21, an average of 19 officers every year, according to Office for National Statistics data.

In the video, Acting Sgt Nev Chambers, from North Yorkshire Police, explained that at one point he was struggling, but had sought support and "now I've got help, I'm talking to people and things are good".

Sgt Chambers, who has worked as a police officer for 22 years, told BBC Look North: “I’d not realised at the time, but I was going down a very dark hole.

“I felt my life was spiralling out of control and one particular day, I’d gone out for a walk and sat on a park bench and an old lady sat down next to me, just started talking to me.

“Next thing, her dog jumped on my knee and just started licking my face, and I don’t know what it was about that black labrador, but I just burst into tears.”

Following this, he said he went straight to his GP who put him on the road to recovery and he was now back at work after receiving help.

He added that he wanted to take part in the North Yorkshire Police Federation video as he had also known friends and colleagues who had taken their own lives.

"We're not always all right and it's fine to not be all right. Things do get better," he said in the video.

Meanwhile, Pierre Olesqui, a police officer for 26 years, also urged people to share their feelings after losing his best friend and colleague in 2018.

Mr Olesqui told BBC Radio York: “He was a big personality and a larger-than-life character, but he downplayed a lot of stuff when you asked him any questions.

“He would speak quite positive about the future, but he was facing battles I was unaware of and so was his family."

“I just want to say to anyone who might be struggling now, just talk. You’ll be amazed that people are there to listen and you won’t be a burden.”

North Yorkshire Police Federation secretary Helen Scholefield, who also shared her story about her struggle with depression in the video, said she wanted to encourage members to talk if they had issues with their mental health and wellbeing.

"There is always someone who is willing to listen," she said.

“No one is going to think you’re weak or anything negative about you if you ask for help, so please talk to each other.”

If you've been affected by the issues in this story, help and support is available via the BBC Action Line.

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