After a woman’s email to her boss asking for a day off to focus on her mental health went viral last year, the idea of taking a ‘mental health day’ has started to be talked about like never before.

Which is why, as we start to focus on our mental health and wellbeing rather than working ourselves to the bone in 2018, public bodies across the UK are starting to follow suit by rolling out initiatives focused on wellbeing.

As a first of its kind in policing, Lincolnshire Police officers and staff are to be given an extra two days holiday per year in a bid to improve their “physical, emotional and spiritual welfare”.

The scheme, which will be launched next month, aims to encourage staff to make time for rest and recuperation as it will provide them with 32 days’ holiday in total per year.

“This is one of a number of initiatives that we will introduce over the next few months. I have been most impressed by the commitment of Lincolnshire Police staff and officers but I am increasingly seeing the impact that this can have on their physical and mental wellbeing,” explains Chief Constable Bill Skelly.

“By encouraging our staff to take time to look after themselves I believe that we can make an improvement to how they feel at work. We hope that this will help to reduce sickness and improve levels of resilience across the organisation.”

And it’s a move welcomed by all, as the number of police officers taking sick leave due to mental health has nearly doubled over the past six years at the London’s Metropolitan Police force, according to the Evening Standard.

The important reason why mental health days are being introduced in the police