App launched for gardaí
A new wellbeing app has been launched for use by An Garda Síochána members.
Called KOPS, it stands for Keeping Our People Supported and was launched on Tuesday. The app has been created specifically for employees of An Garda Síochána as a way of ensuring that all personnel have 24/7 access to information on wellbeing supports and services, particularly if they are in distress.
Until now, employees in An Garda Síochána would need to be at their desk or hold an official mobile phone or laptop in order to access details on wellbeing supports inside and outside the organisation.
A statement from An Garda Síochána said: “This needed to be addressed, and was one of the actions outlined in the Health and Wellbeing Strategy, launched in May of this year. The app has been designed to allow it to be installed on any phone, iPhone or Android, personal or official garda mobility device.
“The app was developed in-house by a team with personnel from a number of areas across the organisation including the Office of the Chief Medical Officer, the Strategic Transformation Office, the IT unit and the Garda Press Office.”
The purpose of the app is two-fold. Firstly it is to allow personnel to reach out for support whenever they need it, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Secondly, An Garda Síochána wanted to make it as easy as possible for its staff to access information on wellbeing from all corners of the organisation. Wellbeing supports span a number of different areas across An Garda Síochána and this was an opportunity set out all of that detail in a user friendly, accessible manner.
The statement added: “Wellbeing also spans a broad range of issues, some of which are sensitive like depression or addiction, and people may be reluctant to start a conversation about them. The app means there is now an opportunity to view information in private, at a time that suits. With contact details available for a wide range of internal and external supports, we hope people will be encouraged to reach out for further advice or support.”