Yet we have to so manage our emotions that we maintain a good state of mental health while performing our duties at the optimum level. How are we to do that?

Below are several common sources of stress encountered in daily policing and some suggested ways to respond positively.

A complaint has been filed

You have been subject of a complaint by a member of the public. You are going to explain the situation to your commander.

Your feelings: Frustrated and hostile - 'Why are members of the public always so rude to us? Why don't they understand our difficulties?' or Depressed - 'No matter how reasonable my explanation, I am a failure in my commander's eyes.'

Set an impossible task

Your commander assigns you a task with which you are unfamiliar and has high expectations of your performance.

Your feelings: Worried and anxious - 'If I cannot handle this, I might be transferred to another department.' or Helpless - 'I have no experience in handling the task and am doomed to fail.'

What can you do?

1. Calm down. Find a quiet place and relax. Breathe deeply, drink some water, do something to distract your attention. The less tense you are, the more rational your judgment will be.

2. Talk to somebody whom you trust. Get support and advice. Negative emotions accumulate a lot faster when you deal with them alone.

3. Positive self-talk: think positively and reappraise the situation. For Example: 'My supervisor has given me a chance, he knows I can do better.'

4. Don't forget, use of humour can also help you relax in some difficult situations.

It is normal for us to have strong emotions in different situations. In fact, we should not ignore or suppress these feelings nor resort to maladaptive coping such as excessive drinking or smoking. Indeed, by acknowledging these feelings we can learn ways to handle our emotions effectively, such that we can be buffered against psychological distress. Here are some general guidelines on how to enhance your emotional competence:

1. Acknowledge your emotions - know how you are feeling.

2. Identify early signs of your emotions. Breathing hard and speaking in a rising tone might indicate agitation.

3. Practise emotional regulation skills such as distraction or relaxation.

4. Build a good social support network.

If you find yourself overwhelmed by your emotions and are unable to cope, seek help from mental health professionals.

Stress management workshops

The PSG is organising a series of stress management workshops to be conducted in Chinese. The next one is at the Police Sports & Recreation Club Sportsman Bar on September 14 from 8.45 am to 12.30 pm but participants are required to arrive 15 minutes before the programme starts)

Thirty places for each session will be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis. To make a reservation contact PSG on 2866-6207.

Seek advice and help from the Psychological Services Group:

PHQ, Hong Kong Island and Marine: 2866-6206 (5/F, 111 Leighton Road, Causeway Bay); Kowloon and the New Territories: 2735-3739 (22/F, Ocean Building, 80 Shanghai Street, Kowloon). PEN: psg@police.gov.hk