Police union launches mental health app

Police Association president Chris Cahill and deputy commissioner Viv Rickard with the new Equipt app. Photo / Frances Cook.

The Police Association hopes a new app will help police officers better manage mental health and stresses of the job.

The Equipt app has just been launched at the Association's annual conference in Wellington.

It's adapted from an app launched by the Victoria Police in Australia, and is designed for police staff to monitor their mental health, recognise when problems are building, and take action, including getting professional support.

Association President Chris Cahill said the app was important for making sure they walked the talk about addressing mental health resilience.

"It provides tools that can help you boost your mood, your mind, your physical and social wellbeing.

"It can help you get your stress under control, and also measure and track your wellbeing over time, and if needed it can put you in touch with support.

"So it's a really quick one-stop shop. You can get in there and get some help, with this as the fence at the top of the cliff."

The app is available not only for police staff to download, but also their family members.

Features include guided breathing exercises, and isometric exercises to release tension.

If someone's wellbeing checks show they're in need of help, the app can put officers directly in touch with staff welfare officers, or EAP (Employment Assistance Programme) services.

The introduction of the app is being supported by police top brass.

Police Deputy Commissioner Viv Rickard said mental health issues affected many workers, but police had to face particularly tough working conditions.

"They see some very gory things, they have to work long hours, they're away from their families at times, they'll often really feel for victims," he said.

"I think the good thing [about the app] is the ability to self-assess, to just go in there and see how you're tracking.

"You do the self-assessment, and then you know where there is help."

The 82nd Police Association conference is due to wrap up tomorrow. This year's theme is resilience and mental health issues.