MENTAL HEALTH CAMPAIGN Duke of Cambridge launches
BLUE LIGHT TOGETHER PACKAGE
The Duke of Cambridge addresses the symposium.
A Blue Light Together package has been launched ofering mental health support for the emergency services and developed by The Royal Foundation, Mind and partner agencies including Police Care UK.
T
he new website from Mind provides clear, tailored information and advice to help emergency
responders and their friends and family with their mental health. Real life stories and tips from
colleagues working in the field have also been shared alongside guides for employers so they can support their teams with their wellbeing. Funding for the creation of a directory of therapists who have experience of specialising in addressing the complex mental health needs of emergency responders has also been allocated by The Royal Foundation. The measures were launched by the
Duke of Cambridge at a symposium at the end of November, attended by 200 leaders from across fire, ambulance, police and search and rescue from all four nations and follow several years of research.
Opening up about his experiences
of dealing with traumatic incidents during his time working for RAF Search and Rescue and the East Anglia Air Ambulance, the Duke said: “I remember returning home with the stresses and strains of the day weighing on my mind, and wanting to avoid burdening my family with what I had seen.” A pledge was also signed by the
National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC), outlining that forces should adopt a uniform set of standards for supporting the mental health of officers. NPCC Chair Martin Hewitt signed the “Mental Health at Work Commitment”, endorsing six standards, including declaring mental health is, and will remain, a strategic priority, and encouraging forces to promote an open culture around mental health. Policing the pandemic has taken a
major toll on police officers with more than three quarters admitting to having experienced mental health or wellbeing difficulties in the past year. National Federation Chair John Apter,
who attended the event, welcomed the commitment but warned it must be more than just a tick box exercise. “I feel proud and privileged to have been given the opportunity to attend the symposium,” he said. “Policing and other emergency
services have talked a lot about how they are supporting the mental health of their workforce for a number of years, and there have been some improvements. “The pledge that has been agreed to
by the NPCC is a massive step forward but chiefs have got to make sure it delivers something tangible as too many colleagues are being failed on daily basis.
25 I POLICE I DECEMBER 2021
I have spoken to officers who are truly broken, and on many occasions this was completely avoidable. “Rather than continuing to stick
plasters over gaping wounds, it is key the service focuses on prevention. “In policing, we cannot get away from
attending traumatic incidents but we can do more to ensure there is better support for them and their families, and better training in place for supervisors and managers so they can recognise and address the issues.” The Duke of Cambridge has been working closely with the Emergency Responder Senior Leaders Board and charity partners to identify solutions and best practice to ensure that emergency responders and their families can access the advice and support relevant to the unique challenges they face. Find information, ideas and support to
help look after your mental health at Blue Light Together.
NEWS
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44
