Home / Crime and Justice / Met Police Officers: Mental Health Crisis Revealed
Met Police Officers: Mental Health Crisis Revealed
3 Feb
Summary
- Over 133,000 sick days taken by Met Police officers for mental health.
- Workloads and trauma are blamed by staff for declining mental health.
- Ex-officer sues for £1 million, citing trauma from child abuse cases.
Metropolitan Police officers have accumulated over 133,000 mental health-related sick days, averaging more than two months per officer. Many absences lasted longer than 28 days, with stress, depression, anxiety, and trauma being significant contributors. This situation has led to an ex-officer suing for £1 million, claiming a phobia of police stations developed after repeated exposure to traumatic child abuse scenes.
The Metropolitan Police Federation Chair stated that current support provisions are inadequate for the average of 400-600 traumatic events officers encounter. Concerns were raised about the lack of regular screening, trauma training, and sufficient support, leading to officers considering suicide and leaving the force, which in turn increases the workload for remaining staff.
Recent surveys indicate that 93% of officers experiencing well-being challenges attribute them to work, with high workloads and poor work-life balance being key factors. Across the UK, over 17,700 police officers were signed off for mental health reasons in 2024-25, a 22% increase year-on-year and a 182% rise over 12 years.
