Festive Twitter poll

Reflections: Dr Jess asks police on Twitter what they find most challenging at Christmas and New Year

According the simple Twitter poll of specific options with "snowball sampling" through policing social networks (love that; "snowball"...it being Christmas.. : ) respondents typically experienced workload and finances as a pressure during the festive season, as well as expectations - with little acknowledgement perhaps of the fact that while under this pressure, they are also helping others, first and foremost. Looking at that workload, suicides and mental illness were overwhelmingly challenging for over 80% of respondents- showing that respondents have an acute awareness of mental health in others at this time of year. When it came to their own mental health, being understood by family and friends seems to be really valuable for resilience at this time of year, with peer support on shift also being recognised as helpful. Despite financial pressure really being felt by respondents, few seemed to acknowledge (or maybe value) the fact that they are earning money for their efforts. 

Further interpretation of these (albeit anecdotal) insights into the policing mind at Christmas and New Year will be offered in some informal advice on how to maintain resilience and wellbeing over the festive season through the Police Dependants' Trust. For more information, go to https://www.pdtrust.org/policing-mind-christmas-tell-us-experiences/