A session around men’s mental health and suicide will be held at Staffordshire Police HQ on Monday (31 July) and Federation members are being encouraged to spare some time to attend.
The session, which is being led by the Force’s wellbeing team together with suicide prevention charity Andy’s Man Club, will be held between 10am and midday, in conference rooms one and two.
Topics on the agenda include talk around suicide and its impacts, ‘it’s OK to talk’, support available, the support women can offer and removing barriers around mental health and suicide.
“Suicide is believed to be the biggest killer in men under the age of 50. With that in mind, I’m actively encouraging all members - both men and women - to take the time to attend Monday’s session if they are able to,” said Fed secretary Chris Rodger.
“I know how hard it can sometimes feel, as blokes, opening up about our feelings but reaching out for support or talking up if you are struggling is nothing to be ashamed of.
“Monday’s session promises to be completely judge-free - you will be able to interact as much or as little as you wish. Whether you or somebody you know is struggling with their mental health, we are here to support you. Please know, the Federation is always there when you need us.”
Monday's session is being held for Staffordshire Police Force and Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service.
Part of the morning will be facilitated by Andy’s Man Club, a charity launched in memory of 23-year-old Andrew Roberts, of Halifax, who took his own life in 2016.
On a mission to prevent any more men from taking their own life, Andy’s Man Club was launched, giving men aged 18 or over the chance to get together in a safe, judge-free and non-clinical environment to talk about their mental health.
By way of raising awareness, they post pictures of people using the 'OK' hand sign, to enhance and strengthen the message 'it's ok to talk'.
Chris continued: "If you can’t come to Monday’s session and you are reading this, this is your prompt to turn to the person next to you and ask ‘are you OK?’. It might seem like such a small gesture but reaching out to your colleagues, friends and loved ones could be huge for that person.
“Together, we can get those conversations going and hopefully prevent more men from taking their life. It’s OK to talk.”
According to statistics, men are more likely to die from suicide than women. Since the 1990s, men have accounted for three-quarters of registered suicide deaths across the UK.
“The most recent research tells us that 163 police officers’ deaths between 2011 and 2019 were classified as suicide or of undetermined intent, and of those, 146 were men,” Staffordshire Police wellbeing nurse Becky Lewis said.
“These figures don’t tell us anything we didn’t already know but yet they are still shocking and incredibly sad. We have to stop the stigma. We have to make break the taboo around men’s mental health and suicide if we want to prevent more men from taking their lives.”
Monday’s session begins at 10am followed by the below agenda:
10am - 10.15am: tea and coffee
10.20am - 10.30am: opening by Staffordshire Police chief constable Chris Noble
10.30am - 11.15am: a chat with Andy’s Man Club
11.15am - 11.30am: occupational health support
11.30am - 11.40am: closing by chief fire officer Rob Barber
For more information or to find your nearest Andy’s Man Club meet-up visit their website.
