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1/n Thoughts on #mentalhealth in #Police. A few years ago I collapsed (twice) during morning meetings. I was a Response Sgt and these were panic attacks, right in front of ALL my senior officers 
. It promoted me to address âsome issuesâ which were: severe depression/
. It promoted me to address âsome issuesâ which were: severe depression/
2/n bolemia/ anxiety/ rage. So I was a mess! Through TVPâs excellent OHU, I was able to separate these issues. I had PTSD, I was also suffering effects of childhood trauma. âTVPâ agreed to âfixâ the PTSD as it was caused by âthe jobâ, albeit whilst in GMP. I would
3/n fix the rest. The PTSD was very easy to sort, literally a few sessions with a therapist. For the rest, I began a merry-go-round of CBT, GP prescribed meds: did not get worse, but no better. I then realised that my CBT was âscriptedâ and realised that my GP
4/ had no more knowledge than I did on antidepressants. I paid to privately see a psychiatrist, cost loads. The meds I was taking were crap; was put on better ones. I saw the psychiatrist monthly and, once there was sufficient improvement, embarked on therapy:
5/ CAT- you can only do it once and have to be all in. Itâs draining, you confront everything. After a few more months, I was âwellâ probably for the first time in my life. That was 18months ago, not looked back. The point is this:
6/ as a pilice Officer I advise that you get to know yourself and are honest with yourself. I assure you that you can âfixâ mental health problems like any oher. I strongly advise that you get the very best advice, that you pay to see and be under a private psychiatrist
7/ for anything âseriousâ. I also did not stop working, I advise that you never retreat a step more than is essential. Policing will take it out of you, you can only prepare yourself if you know yourself and take responsibility to properly fix yourself if the time comes. End!
