Police Scotland at 'breaking point' as mental health absences soar by 50%
The number of sick days attributed to ill mental health in Police Scotland has soared by over 50 per cent in the last five years, according to new figures.Since 2019, officers and staff have taken nearly 441,000 days off due to psychological disorders including anxiety, stress and depression.
The stats, published by 1919 Magazine, come amid growing concerns over rising levels of burnout among the workforce driven by falling numbers and increasing demands.The number of days taken off by employees suffering poor mental health rose from 63,797 in 2019/20 to 96,509 in 2023/24 – an increase of 51.3 per cent.
In 2024/25 so far, between April and September, 52,432 days have already been lost due to mental health issues.The crisis has contributed to a dire warning from the head of the Scottish Police Federation (SPF) that “policing in Scotland is at a breaking point”.David Kennedy, SPF general secretary, said: “Mental health is a crisis that remains grossly under-addressed.
Officers are routinely exposed to traumatic incidents, yet the support infrastructure to help them cope remains inadequate.“Record numbers of officers have taken time off due to stress, anxiety, and PTSD.
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