"Mental illness is not a personal failure. In fact, if there is a failure, it is to be found in the way we have responded to people..."
Dr Gro
Harlem Brundtford, General Director, World Health Organisation (2001 report on Mental Health)
Through my policing career (as a Special Constable) I've met people suffering from a wide range of mental health issues and I've been able to help so many of them; and I hope for that to continue in the remainder of my career. But, at times, I've needed help myself...
I’d not long been promoted to Special Sergeant
at a small semi-rural police station in County Durham (my first policing
leadership role) when, a few days before Christmas, I was on early
days with my normal shift. As we sat for our pre-shift cuppa the radio went
“Anyone available for a sudden death?”
I’ve always been the kind of person who'll shout up for anything – the way I see it; I volunteer to support our communities and my colleagues, so if I can lighten their load – I’m in!
Gingerly knocking on the door, I was greeted by
an elderly lady with a tear in her eye, but otherwise composed. “I’m so sorry
for having to bother you” she said. I’ve always been the kind of person who'll shout up for anything – the way I see it; I volunteer to support our communities and my colleagues, so if I can lighten their load – I’m in!
I’ll spare the details but after doing the necessary, I prepared to head back to the station. The family were on route to support the lady and my “work” was done. But some of the circumstances had touched me on a personal level and brought many memories flooding back...
