New research from the mental health charity Mind reveals that emergency services staff and volunteers are over twice as likely to say that their service encouraged them to talk about their mental health, compared to four years ago.
The survey carried out by Mind, conducted to coincide with the release of a report marking the end of Mind’s Blue Light Programme, showed that almost two in three emergency services personnel (64 per cent) said they felt encouraged to talk about their own mental health, compared to just under one in three (29 per cent) in 2015.
Data from the mental health charity reveals that in just a few years, the Government-funded programme has had a positive impact when it comes to attitudes and awareness surrounding mental health across the four blue light services.
Other key findings featured in the report include:
- Over one in two (53 per cent) said their service supports people with mental health problems well, as opposed to around one in three (34 per cent) in 2015
- Almost two in three (65 per cent) said they were aware of what support was available to them to help them manage their mental health, compared to less than one in two (46 per cent) in 2015
- Nearly three in five (59 per cent) of survey respondents felt that attitudes towards mental health at their organisation were changing for the better
The data show that significant progress has been made when it comes to emergency service organisations offering and promoting wellbeing support, and creating an open culture where workers feel able to discuss poor mental health in the workplace.
The research also shows that the prevalence of poor mental health was on the rise, with reported good mental health decreasing slightly.
The 2019 research from over 5,000 respondents across police, fire, ambulance and search and rescue services also found:
- Less than one in two (45 per cent) reported having good or very good mental health, compared to over one in two (53 per cent) in 2015.
- Just over one in five (21 per cent) reported having poor or very poor mental health, compared to around one in seven (14 per cent) in 2015.
- Excessive workload is still the most frequently cited cause of poor mental health among respondents, with trauma moving up from fifth place in 2015 to second place in 2019.
Commenting on the findings, Paul Farmer, Chief Executive of Mind, said:
“We’re grateful to have received funding to deliver this exciting and pioneering programme over the last few years.
“We’re pleased to see the positive impact that it’s had on our hard-working 999 staff and volunteers, especially when it comes to opening up about mental health at work.
“While progress has been made in laying the groundwork, there is still more to be done.
“Our research showed a high prevalence of poor mental health across the emergency services. It’s not clear the reasons why poor mental health is on the rise but it’s likely that increased awareness and reduced stigma have both played a role in more 999 workers coming forward if and when they’re struggling with their mental health.
“Whatever is behind the rise in mental health problems, we’re urging emergency services organisations, representative bodies, Government and policymakers to come together and combine efforts to ensure the mental health of our 999 teams remains a top priority.
“Driving this forward requires continued and sustained resources to keep up the momentum, as well as implementing the recommendations to come out of the Thriving at Work review.
“Mind is still here to support everyone experiencing a mental health problem in England and Wales, including 999 staff and volunteers.
“As the funding ends for our dedicated programme of support, we’re working hard alongside our network of local Minds to ensure continued support is available to everyone who needs it – whether through our website, resources, Infoline or training.”
Editors Comment
I think that is a real shame that Minds’ funding for the #OurBlueLightProgramme is coming to an end.
I would urge the government to commit to spending more money on this invaluable resource because when the people at the other end of the ‘999’ system are suffering, then there is no-else to call.
We hear, on a regular basis, from front-line personnel who are going through, or who have been through, a tough patch in relation to their mental health.
My worry now is that people who may have reached out to the #OurBlueLight programme might not be as willing to reach out to a non-emergency-services specific helpline.
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