The number of working days lost to mental ill health in Police Scotland has surged by more than 50 per cent over the past five years.
Since 2019, officers and staff have taken a total of 440,630 days off due to psychological disorders, including anxiety, depression, and stress.
The findings come amid growing concerns over rising levels of burnout, driven by falling numbers and increasing demands.
Police Scotland said it is investing £17 million in a welfare package, including a 24/7 employee assistance programme.
And Justice Secretary Angela Constance told 1919 that the force is receiving record funding to boost the front line.
But the Scottish Liberal Democrats, who obtained the statistics through a freedom of information request, urged ministers to do more to support officers and staff.
The Scottish Police Federation (SPF) warned that inadequate breaks, cancelled rest days, and constant disruption were taking their toll on what it described as a “broken” service.
The number of days taken off by police officers and staff suffering mental ill 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.
“This is a sad reflection of the many police officers and staff who feel overwhelmed and stretched dangerously thin”
Liam McArthur, Scottish Lib Dem justice spokesperson
Latest Scottish Government figures show that, as of the end of September, there were 16,427 full-time equivalent (FTE) police officers – a decline of more than 1,000 since Police Scotland was formed in 2013.
Scottish Liberal Democrat justice spokesperson Liam McArthur said: “This is a sad reflection of the many police officers and staff who feel overwhelmed and stretched dangerously thin.
“If ministers continue deprioritising provision for things like mental health, we could see many more officers and staff heading for the door.”
Calling for regular staff surveys and a mental health first aider in every police workplace, McArthur added: “We also need to see concerted action to root out discriminatory practices, making sure every officer and every member of staff feels respected and valued.”
Last May, 1919 reported on officers’ concerns that their welfare is being treated with lip service, with a postcode lottery in support services.
HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland (HMICS) found that while some policing areas and divisions boast dedicated wellbeing staff, most do not.
There are also growing calls for the creation of mental health ambulances to ease the pressure on officers dealing with such call-outs.
David Kennedy, general secretary of the SPF, described the latest figures as “appalling but sadly not surprising”.
“Officers face constant disruption to their days off and annual leave, relentless demand, and a lack of resources,” he said.
“Their welfare feels like empty words, not meaningful action, creating a perfect storm for recruitment and retention.
“The service is broken – officers are overworked, sick, and missing time with their families. The daily grind is taking its toll.”
“The Chief Constable has prioritised the health and wellbeing of our officers and staff”
Deputy Chief Constable Alan Speirs
Dr Jane Morris, chair of the Royal College of Psychiatrists in Scotland, added: “As psychiatrists we’ve always been part of the special arrangements for supporting police colleagues to cope with the trauma they inevitably encounter as part of their highly valued frontline work.
“This current situation appears to be a rather different phenomenon.
“We’re now seeing the results of workplace stress and burnout rather than trauma.”
She said that some of the stress is due to the extra duties placed on officers because of the mental health services crisis, and called for better attention to public workforce recruitment, retention, and funding for early intervention across Scotland.
Deputy Chief Constable Alan Speirs told 1919: “The Chief Constable has prioritised the health and wellbeing of our officers and staff, whose feedback was integral in agreeing a £17 million investment in enhanced welfare provisions.
“These include a new 24/7 employee assistance programme, direct access to occupational health services to support officers and staff on their journey back to health and work, and a greater focus on mental health.”
Angela Constance highlighted Chief Constable Jo Farrell’s recent forecast of officer numbers reaching 16,600 and welcomed the force’s wellbeing programme.
She said: “Despite the previous UK Government’s financial settlement to the Scottish Government, we invested record police funding of £1.55 billion this year – an increase of £92.7 million.
“Scotland continues to have more police officers per capita than England and Wales.”