Page 14 - Bedfed Sept2016 Flipbook

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Mind leading the way with Blue Light Programme
a survey by the leading mental health charity Mind has shown that 91 per cent of police officers, staff and volunteers have experienced stress and poor mental health at work.
The findings revealed that while police personnel are more likely than the general population to experience a mental health problem they were less likely to take time off work as a result.
But it also highlighted two significant issues:
l 71 per cent of emergency staff do not
think their organisation encourages them to talk about mental health, compared to 45 per cent in the general workforce
l Organisational upheaval was the most commonly cited trigger. “While an increase in mental health
issues is of concern, I find it quite reassuring that people are becoming far more comfortable with talking about their mental health issues,” says Jim Mallen, chairman of Bedfordshire Police Federation.
“I am also pleased that Mind has set up this programme to provide tailored support for people working in the emergency services. Police work by its very nature can be very stressful and no-one should feel that there is no-one for them to turn to. All we need to do now is make sure that our officers and staff are aware of the Blue Light Programme and the help that it can provide.”
Mind’s Blue Light programme is just one of the initiatives launched to respond to the growing concern about mental health in the police service. The programme offers support to emergency staff and volunteers in the police, fire, ambulance and search and rescue services. The programme aims to make emergency workers more aware and responsive to their own mental health issues, and those of their colleagues; more resilient and better able to manage their own mental health and empowered with more information and support.
It also wants employers to be more aware of the importance and value of employees’ mental health, better equipped to support their staff’s mental
health and prepared to lead work to address mental health stigma and discrimination.
Evaluation of the first year pilot of the programme, which ended in March this year, showed that thousands of people have actively challenged mental health stigma, learnt more about mental health and improved their wellbeing and support with the Blue Light Programme.
But the charity says there is still a high level of stigma attached to mental health problems and low levels of awareness of the support available.
“I believe this programme will help tackle the stigma that still exists around mental health issues,” says Jim.
“I would encourage anyone with a mental health concern to find out more about the programme and access the support it offers. Equally, I would like to think that officers and staff will also look out for their colleagues and talk to them about Mind’s work if they feel they are struggling perhaps with stress or anxiety or another mental health issue.”
The Blue Light Programme has four key areas of work:
Tackling stigma and discrimination – 63 organisations have signed the Blue Light Time To Change Pledge so far and applications are now open to sign this year, more than 500 Blue Light Champions have been registered and 80 of these have been trained as peer supporters. Find out more at www.mind.org.uk/bluelight
Boosting workplace wellbeing - 5,226 line managers have undertaken Mind training so far.
Building resilience – ensuring staff are better able to cope with potential mental
health problems. More than 450 people have attended a resilience course and 180 people received online information. accessing information – more than 300,000 information booklets, aimed particularly at emergency staff, were distributed.
But, above all, it wants people to get involved with the programme by:
l Spreading the word
l Following them on twitter
@MindBlueLight and tweeting using
#mybluelight
l Adding the Blue Light Programme banner email signatures
l Linking to www.mind.org.uk/ bluelight through social media
l Becoming a Blue Light Champion l Watching the webinars
l Registering your interest in the
resilience and line manager training
on the website
l Ordering an information booklet l Registering for regular updates.
do you need support?
If you feel you need information on mental health, advice or signposting to local support services, you can contact the confidential infoline on
0300 303 5999, text 84999 or email: bluelightinfo@mind.org.uk
Or ring the Samaritans on 08457 90 90 90 - lines are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Get involved with Elefriends - a supportive online community moderated by Mind where you can listen, share and be heard.
Talk to your GP.
If you need urgent help please go to the Mind website and click the yellow button at the top which says ‘I need urgent help’.