Help improve mental health support in the emergency services by taking part in Mind’s Blue Light survey. Mind’s Blue Light programme wants to hear about your experiences and perceptions of mental health as an emergency responder. They want to hear about the support available for your mental health, and how things have changed in the… Read more »
Mental Health
Addressing emergency service mental health issues through technology
Words: Nick Chorley, Director, EMEA Public Safety & Security, Hexagon’s Safety, Infrastructure & Geospatial division Emergency response is a high stress occupation. Lives are often at stake, and correct decision-making in fast moving scenarios often determines the success of outcomes. Given the trauma this can entail, mental health is an increasing concern amid emergency response… Read more »
Wellbeing or well-meaning? How are you saving the lives of those who save others?
Words: Gareth Davies, a former Police Sergeant and co-founder of The Bravest Path Action beats reaction. I learnt that phrase years ago on my initial firearms training. During a roleplay I had my weapon drawn and aimed at my instructor, playing the part of an armed suspect. I was determined to de-escalate and resolve the… Read more »
Health and Wellbeing Conversations
Words: Liam Johnston, Executive Director, Railway Mission Health and wellbeing are recognised now in the emergency services more than ever as being important to the successful operation of a company, but what are ‘Health and Wellbeing Conversations’ in the context of the emergency services? As a chaplain, I often express personal health and wellbeing and… Read more »
Working together to prevent suicide
Commitment to a joint strategy to reduce the number of deaths by suicide across the police service in England and Wales has been agreed in a consensus statement, supported by the College of Policing, National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC), Association of Police and Crime Commissioners, Home Office, Unison, Police Federation and the Police Superintendents Association…. Read more »
Music therapy strikes a chord with traumatised emergency workers
The Blue Light Symphony Orchestra (BLSO), in collaboration with Chroma, has successfully completed a pilot project delivering group music therapy to emergency service workers to help them recover from traumatic experiences. Working with Surrey and Sussex Police, Surrey and East Sussex Fire and Rescue and South East Coast Ambulance Service, the project, a UK first,… Read more »
Why TeamPolice?
TeamPolice is the fundraising body for police sport in the UK. It is a joint venture between Police Sport UK (PSUK) and EthosVO. TeamPolice raises much needed funds through an innovative commercial sponsorship scheme to help improve the wellbeing of everyone who is serving and has served in our UK police forces by enabling increased… Read more »
Mind survey reveals toll of pandemic on emergency responders’ mental health
Data from a survey of almost 4000 staff and volunteers across police, fire and ambulance services in the UK has laid bare the scale of poor mental health among emergency responders. The statistics come as Mind announces the relaunch of their Blue Light Programme of wellbeing support for the emergency services, which has been funded… Read more »
National health and wellbeing campaign raises more than £15,000 for frontline charities
A month-long charity campaign, which aimed to boost the nation’s health and wellbeing, has come to an end, raising a total of over £15,000 for The Ambulance Staff Charity, Police Care UK, The Fire Fighters Charity and The Air Ambulance Service. Launched in January, the Blue Light Get Active Challenge, tasked individuals with clocking up… Read more »
National Police Wellbeing Service extends Psychological Risk Assessment Programme
Oscar Kilo, the National Police Wellbeing Service (OK NPWS) has extended its Psychological Risk Assessment Programme, meaning it will be able to offer online psychological risk assessments to another 6000 police officers and staff across the country. Since the initial stage of the programme was launched in early 2020, OK NPWS has carried out assessments… Read more »
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