Supporting the mental wellbeing of emergency responders, naturally

At Mind Over Mountains, we like to describe ourselves as the natural health service. We provide outdoor therapeutic wellbeing walks and retreats. Recognising the challenges faced by those working on the frontline within some of our most important public services, we have developed specific support for emergency responders.

The data shows that two-thirds of all UK emergency responders report mental ill health and 21% describe their mental health as poor or very poor. The stresses of the job are very real. For example, a police officer can see 400-600 traumatic events during their career, compared to 3-4 serious lifetime events experienced by a typical member of the public. Rates of anxiety among firefighters are twice the general population and rates of depression three times. Sadly, in England and Wales, a police officer dies by suicide every two and a half weeks.

This is the stark reality, but they are challenges that our charity can help you to overcome.

Evidence from clinical research is increasingly pointing to the things that can help to restore and sustain good mental health: time in nature, physical activity, connection to others, the chance to be mindful, opportunities to learn and giving to others. Our wellbeing walks bring together all these things along with time with experienced coaches in an unpressured setting.

Matt Heaton is a 34 year old ex-police officer from Spalding in Lincolnshire. He is now a lorry driver but joined a Mind Over Mountains retreat after experiencing severe mental health challenges when serving as a police officer. He benefited from spending time in nature with others who understood and were warm and compassionate. With no pressure to talk or expectation to share, he found that the safe, supportive environment enabled him to open up in his own time. He felt heard and understood and came away feeling lighter and more hopeful.

Similarly, 38 year old Samah Ahmed, a paramedic for West Midlands Ambulance Service, discovered Mind Over Mountains when she spotted a poster at her ambulance station. After several years of intense training she was actively looking for a healthier work-life balance and so joined a walk with Mind Over Mountains, attracted by the combination of time outdoors with structured wellbeing support. She found the walk well-paced and accessible and appreciated the thoughtful moments for mindfulness and reflection. She has since gone on to join many other walks with us and says she always comes away feeling lighter, more grounded and better equipped to cope with everyday life.

Established in 2020, Mind Over Mountains has now supported more than 1,000 people with a particular focus on emergency service workers. To find out more visit www.mindovermountains.org.uk.

Mind over Mountains return to The Emergency Services Show this week. You can visit them in the Collaboration Zone on stand CZ86. Last chance to register to attend here.