Emergency service workers suffer from poor mental health

NEARLY nine in ten emergency services staff have experienced stress, low mood and poor mental health at some point during their careers, a new survey has shown.

An online poll of more than 3,500 police officers, paramedics and firefighters found that 87% had suffered from poor mental health. And more than half (55%) of police, fire and ambulance service personnel had experienced mental health problems at some point.

This is more than double the general workforce’s experience, according to the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).

The research was carried out by mental health charity Mind, which is developing and trialling a new package of support for people working on the front line.

Staff and volunteers in the emergency services have already been identified as at higher risk of developing a mental health problem, due to the unique set of difficulties these challenging roles present.

And despite the greater prevalence of mental health problems among emergency services personnel, research from Mind indicates that they are less likely to take time off sick as a result.

Paul Farmer, chief executive of Mind, said: “Not only are many of our blue light personnel struggling with their mental health, but they’re less likely to seek support or have time off sick than the general workforce.

“The programme we’ll be delivering over the next year aims to ensure that the estimated quarter of a million people working and volunteering within police, ambulance, fire and search and rescue divisions are able to talk openly about their mental health and access the support they need to stay well, recover and continue doing the vital and challenging roles they do serving the community.”

Just 43% of emergency service workers and volunteers surveyed said they have taken time off work due to poor mental health. The CIPD has found that this figure is much higher among the general workforce, with 57% saying they had needed time off for poor mental health.

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said: “Emergency service workers save lives every day, helping people in trouble or in need, but we need to support them as they deal with the incredibly stressful and sometimes harrowing situations they face in the line of duty.”