A NORTH-EAST police force has become one of the first in the country to offer training in innovative self-help techniques to help improve the mental wellbeing of officers and staff.

With funding from the Department of Public Health, Durham Police has recently offered civilian staff and frontline officers the chance to take part in a five-week mindfulness pilot scheme.

Mindfulness can help prevent a range of mental health problems, including anxiety, depression and stress.

It encourages people to become more self-aware and to live in the moment by spending less time anticipating stress or reliving bad experiences.

As part of the pilot, staff could take part in a range of different activities, from meditation and one-to-one sessions with a mindfulness trainer, to using simple breathing techniques while at work.

Led by Detective Sergeant Hannah Bell, the pilot also complemented the work the force has been doing with neuro-linguistic programming (NLP), which has seen more than 120 complete an NLP diploma.

“At first I thought are people going to really want this, but people are really on board. They feel supported and involved,” said DS Bell, who recently won a British Association for Women in Policing award for her inspirational leadership.

“Staff are more engaged and they are enjoying their roles more. People are also getting a better level of service.

“We are doing this because we care about our staff and we care about the public and the people they serve.”

Gary Heads, of Living Mindfully, which provides mindfulness therapists to organisations across the region, said the pilot scheme proved to be a success.

“Although they had not experienced this intervention before the group were interactive and very committed to the course,” he said.

“Our feedback shows that incorporating mindfulness training into the workplace can be beneficial in many ways not only from a wellbeing perspective but also in creating work/life balance, focus, attention and performance.”

Sergeant Kay Howarth, who took part in the pilot, said: “I was initially sceptical about the mindfulness course. However I went with an open mind and it was life changing.

“I am much calmer and much more self-aware, and use some of the techniques every day.”

Her thoughts were echoed by Detective Chief Inspector Mick Callan, who said: “I wish I had received this when I joined the force in 1981.

“Other organisations are missing a trick."