Mind steps up support for Blue Light services

12 April 2021

A tailor-made toolkit has been put together to help support police officers and other emergency workers with their mental health during the ongoing pandemic. 

Created by national charity Mind under its Blue Light Programme, it is designed to provide emergency workers with high quality mental health support and information throughout the coronavirus crisis and beyond. 

Mind research has shown that two thirds of police staff believe their mental health had got worse – and in many cases, much worse – since the start of the pandemic. 

In addition to the new demands of the job, two thirds of police said they were concerned about passing coronavirus on to their friends and family, and 42 per cent said their mental health was affected by news and media coverage. A third of emergency services staff said they didn’t look for help because they didn’t think their issues were serious enough.

Humberside Police Federation chair Lee Sims has welcomed Mind’s initiative.

“Working in the police can be hugely demanding during normal times, let alone when we’re in the grips of a pandemic so it comes as no surprise that officers are struggling with their mental health,” he said.

“It’s been a challenging time for everyone but our frontline officers and staff have put their own health at risk to protect the public over the past 12 months. It’s time they took care of themselves and hopefully this toolkit will give them the support they need.

“The wellbeing and mental health of our members is an absolute priority and it’s important that they know the Federation is always here if they ever need its support.” 

The new toolkit will help police officers manage their mental health, take care of themselves and also encourage them to reach out to family, friends and colleagues who might be struggling. 

The toolkit, which will build on Mind’s existing support for emergency service workers, will evolve based on feedback from the police community, and the charity will be adding new resources and sources of help when they become available throughout the year.

The toolkit and more information on the Blue Light Programme, along with advice and support, is now available on the Mind website.