Analysis: The mental wellbeing of those who protect and serve us is a public issue of major concern and needs to be properly supported and resourced
By Paul Gavin and Cody Porter, University of the West of England
The impact of the policing role on the mental health of members of An Garda Siochána is more than an issue for their workplace; it is also a public issue of major concern. The mental wellbeing of those who protect and serve us can influence how they will engage with the public, how they respond to crisis situations and how they develop and sustain their own careers.
In recent years it has been reported that an increasing number of Gardai have been referred for psychiatric or psychological assessment or other mental health care. Several studies in the past few years offer a sobering look at the realities faced by members of An Garda Síochána. They highlight not just the everyday stress of the job, but also deeper, systemic barriers to seeking help, both of which are linked with an increasing number of Gardai resigning from the force. These studies paint a picture of a profession under pressure—and a culture struggling to respond.
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Trauma is a part of the job
Let’s start with the obvious: being a police officer means that you are going to encounter violence, trauma, and high-pressure situations on an almost daily basis. These include road traffic fatalities, suicides, assaults and sexual offences.
These are what researchers call operational stressors, and they are the parts of policing most of us think about when we consider the toll it takes on mental health. It is estimated that a police officer will encounter between 400 to 600 traumatic incidents during an average career, compared with the three to four traumatic events typically thought to be experienced by the public.
But here’s the twist: research has consistently shown that it’s not just these operational stressors that wear police officers down. In fact, many said they expected and accepted that part of the job. What they find harder to cope with are things like workplace bullying, shift work, excessive workloads, limited resources, and unrealistic public expectations. These are known as organisational stressors and they are persistent, frustrating, and—crucially—preventable.
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Research by the Garda Representative Association has found that issues related to bullying, mental health and excessive workload have all contributed to increasing number of resignations from An Garda Siochana, as well as contributing to officer burnout. However, the current Garda Commissioner has denied that these issues are impacting on Gardai.
Presenteeism and pressure: mental health behind the uniform
One of the more troubling findings is how many Gardaí keep showing up for duty even when they’re not mentally well enough to do so. This phenomenon, known as presenteeism, can be damaging for the individual, their colleagues and the public. But it’s not just about bravado or dedication. Officers often feel they have no other choice.
So why do they do this? Because talking about mental health at work still feels risky for some gardaí. Despite some progress in recent years, policing is an occupation where a culture persists which associates struggling with weakness, and where seeking support might make you look unreliable or unfit for duty.
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From RTÉ Radio 1's Morning Ireland, the annual conference of the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI) hears calls for more to be done to keep members in the force
Even though support is available through an Employee Assistance Programme and an online service called KOPS, many gardaí do not use these services when they are struggling. This is often explained by a lack of trust in internal support systems, a worry about confidentiality, the negative impact on careers and a fear of being labelled.
Stigma is still the strongest barrier
Being stigmatised for speaking about mental health is also a major concern in policing. This is not just among management, but between peers too. There’s still a sense that "real" officers can handle whatever comes their way, without complaint or counselling.
And for those who do reach out? There’s often a fear that it won’t stay private. Many Gardaí said they’d prefer external, independent services where they could speak freely, without fear of judgment or repercussions.
This distrust reflects a wider cultural challenge. Policing in Ireland—and elsewhere—has long been shaped by values of stoicism and toughness. But those same values can become barriers when it comes to mental health.
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What needs to change?
The research findings are clear: support needs to be accessible, trusted, and genuinely confidential. That means better training for managers, more visible support from leadership, and above all, an end to the silence and stigma.
But there’s a deeper issue here too. Aside from facing personal struggles, gardaí are also navigating a system that often makes things worse. From endless paperwork to unpredictable rosters and limited time off, the structure of policing itself is causing harm.
Fixing this isn’t about yoga classes or free mindfulness apps (though those can help). It’s about systemic change: resourcing stations properly, listening to frontline staff, and creating a culture where mental health is taken seriously—not just in policy, but in practice.
If we want Gardaí to look after us, we need to look after them
It’s easy to say we support gardaí, but real support is demonstrated by more than words. It means ensuring they have the tools, resources and respect they need to stay mentally and physically well. Right now, too many officers feel they can’t speak up. Too many work through burnout and trauma in silence; and too many feel like asking for help is a risk they can’t afford to take.
These recent studies don’t just highlight the problem but offer a roadmap forward. They call for trusted, independent support services, better training and communication and a culture that values well-being as much as performance. If we want Gardaí to look after us, we need to look after them.
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Dr Paul Gavin is a Senior Lecturer in Criminology at the University of the West of England (UWE) Bristol. Dr Cody Porter is a Senior Lecturer in Psychology at the University of the West of England (UWE) Bristol.
The views expressed here are those of the author and do not represent or reflect the views of RTÉ
