The Psychological Services Group (PSG) has been providing professional psychological services to Force members for nearly 24 years since 1983. The Police Clinical Psychologists (PCPs) are well trained in counselling and in the areas of stress, emotions and mental health.

During consultations, the PCPs will listen to their clients' problems, and then make a comprehensive assessment of the overall situation, including the causes of the problems, severity of reported symptoms, the client's coping strategies, personality and qualities, the availability of support systems, as well as motivation for change. Based on the results of the assessment, the PCPs would assist the client to recognise his or her own problems and explore together alternatives to deal with the situation.

The PSG places great importance on confidentiality for officers seeking help, and renders different kinds of professional assistance to every officer coming for help. In most cases, new referrals will be handled within 10 working days. For urgent cases, immediate services will be provided.

Officers seek help from the PSG under different circumstances. Below are some examples:

1) A Police Constable sought psychological services for a problem of inter-personal relationship at work. He recalled that when he was first introduced to psychological services while under Police Tactical Unit training, he did not expect that he would require the services.

However in less than six months after he had come across a setback in his career, he called the PSG and asked to see a psychologist. The psychologist listened to his problems, assessed the sources of his stress and helped him get through. He said psychologists helped him see his problems.

After receiving counselling, there was improvement in his emotion and adjustment at work. He, therefore, advised fellow officers: "Face up to your problems bravely. There are always solutions to problems but sometimes we just fail to see the problems. Whenever you feel stressful, seek help from the PSG."

2) "When I become emotional, I will calm myself down by recalling the words of my psychologist," said a Woman Police Constable with an emotional problem.

3) A Station Sergeant sought help from the PSG for stress arising from child upbringing and his forthcoming retirement. After receiving counselling, he not only understood better his worries, but also knew how to relieve his stress. "I really want to recommend PSG's services to other officers who require such services," he noted.

4) A Police Constable was injured at work a few years ago, resulting in adjustment difficulties at work and in family. Comparing his life to an "onion", he said: "The more peeling was made, the more tears were shed." He was most thankful to his psychologist for giving him a lot of care and encouragement. He has come through his trauma and is leading a more positive life.

In the past, in more than 70 per cent of the new cases, officers approached the PSG of their own free will, indicating that more officers are coming forward to seek help with an open mind. The PSG constantly strives to improve its services and offer Force members the best choice to enhance their coping abilities at difficult times, and to ensure the Force's overall high efficiency and quality.

In the next few issues of OffBeat, the new Law Enforcement Series on "Police Families" will introduce different combinations of family members serving in the Force, for example, husband and wife and siblings, etc. There may be stories you're familiar with. Don't miss out!

A PCP (right) renders different kinds of professional assistance to a client