Police support mental health awareness week

Officers from across Greater Manchester Police will be raising awareness about mental ill health, internally and externally, as part of a series of events to mark Mental Health Awareness Week (11 – 18 May).

The week is an additional opportunity for police to team up with specialists to share good practice and learn more about the avenues for support available for those who need help with managing their mental ill health.

The national theme for the week is 'Mindfulness' and police in Rochdale will be taking part in mindfulness sessions, helping officers and staff to learn more about looking after their own mental health when managing the pressures of everyday living. Staff will also be made aware of specific support they can access if the need arises.

Police will be speaking with staff and patients at Rochdale Infirmary and answering questions they may have about police powers and procedures when responding to mental health incidents.

Across Greater Manchester there will be a series of coffee mornings including some at Bolton and North Manchester Division for sufferers of mental ill health run by Self Help Services which police will be linking in with.

Assistant Chief Constable Sutcliffe added: “This awareness week is an important one for Greater Manchester Police as each day we encounter people experiencing mental ill health. It is fantastic to continue to build on the strong links that we have with our healthcare partners to support our front line staff doing their best to support people needing our assistance and also raise awareness in our communities of the avenues of support they can access directly. Internally, as an organisation we also place a lot of importance on supporting the well-being of our own staff and offering support when required.”

Greater Manchester Police and Crime Commissioner Tony Lloyd said: “There is a wealth of ground-breaking work taking place across Greater Manchester, bringing police, healthcare providers and voluntary organisations together to change the way we deliver mental health crisis care. We are already reaping the benefits of this, with vulnerable people getting the appropriate care and support they need, when they need it.

“Mental Health Awareness Week is an opportunity to shine a light on the issue, showcase this work, and reaffirm Greater Manchester’s commitment to working together, improving services, and removing the stigma and prejudice against people experiencing mental health problems.”