May 20, 2025 | Human Resources , Officer and Staff: Health and Wellbeing (Including Sick Absences and Retirement)
Request Number: FOI/14531
Category: Human Resources - Health and Wellbeing
Subject: Mental health related absence
Request and Answer:
Your request for information has now been considered. In respect of Section 1(1)(a) of the Act we can confirm that the Police Service of Northern Ireland does hold information to which your request relates. The decision has been taken to disclose the following.
Request 1
For each of the following years 2022, 2023 and 2024, could you please tell me how many staff members took leave on mental health grounds?
Answer 1
Please see the below table which provides the total number of PSNI Officers and Staff on sick leave categorised as Psychological Illnesses in financial years.
| Financial Year | Police Officer | Police Staff | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22/23 | 776 | 209 | 985 |
| 23/24 | 996 | 259 | 1255 |
| 24/25 | 1032 | 212 | 1244 |
| Total | 2804 | 680 | 3484 |
Request 2
For 2022, 2023 and 2024, could you please reveal how many staff members left the PSNI?
Answer 2
Please see the below table which provides the total number of PSNI Officers and Staff who left the PSNI in financial years.
| Financial Year | Police Officer | Police Staff | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22/23 | 423 | 204 | 627 |
| 23/24 | 363 | 244 | 607 |
| 24/25 | 427 | 198 | 625 |
| Total | 1213 | 646 | 1859 |
Request 3
Could you also give a breakdown of how much absences due to mental health-related grounds cost for the three-year period?
Answer
The estimated financial cost of psychological sick absence for the PSNI (Police Officer and Police Staff) for the 3 financial years set out below is:
22/23 – Police Officer : £12.52m Police Staff: £1.57m
23/24 – Police Officer: £22.35m Police Staff: £2.19m
24/25 – Police Officer : £27.12m Police Staff: £1.93m