Legal News

Mind Cymru has launched the Blue Light Programme in Wales, under which support will be offered to emergency services staff and volunteers in the police, fire, ambulance and search and rescue services across Wales.

Mind launched the Blue Light Programme – funded by the Cabinet Office – in England in 2015. Additional funding means the programme can now be rolled out to Wales.

Mind’s research shows that nearly nine in ten emergency workers have experienced stress, low mood or poor mental health while at work – and one in four has contemplated suicide.

The Blue Light Programme will offer training to staff to help them manage the situations they face – as well as training for managers to offer support to their teams.

As part of the programme, Mind Cymru will also establish a network of Blue Light Champions to support and advocate for colleagues – as well as a wider peer support network within the emergency services in Wales.

Director of Mind Cymru, Sara Moseley, said:

“Blue light workers do an extremely challenging job day in, day out – frequently encountering difficult and traumatic situations.

“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.

“Working alongside our local Mind network in Wales, the Blue Light programme will allow us to support more than 20,000 people across Wales.”

Despite the greater prevalence of mental health problems among emergency services personnel, Mind’s research indicates that they are less likely to take time off sick as a result – fewer than four in ten told Mind they had taken time off work due to poor mental health.

The Chartered Institute of Personnel Development (CIPD) has found that this is much lower than the general workforce, with nearly three in five saying they had needed time off for poor mental health.

The Blue Light Programme focuses on five main areas – tackling stigma and discrimination by working with employers at an organisational level; embedding workplace wellbeing by helping employers create a bespoke mental health training programme for managers, staff and volunteers; building mental health resilience support for staff and volunteers; providing bespoke information and support for staff and volunteers, as well as their family and friends; and improving access to mental health support for staff and volunteers working in the emergency services.

Assistant Chief Constable at South Wales Police, Jonathan Drake, said:

“South Wales Police are pleased to support the work of Mind to get as many people as possible to talk about mental health – our involvement in the Blue Light Programme signifies our commitment as an emergency service to all police officers and staff, to challenge mental health stigma and discrimination within the Force.

“Breaking the silence sends a powerful message to demonstrate that mental health issues can be discussed openly – and we want everyone who works within South Wales Police to feel they can be open about their mental health and get support if they need it.

“In liaison with our Occupational Health and Human Resources departments, we have developed an Action Plan to embed the pledge into the Force.”

Duncan Lewis Mental Health Solicitors

Duncan Lewis is the UK’s largest provider of Legal Aid mental health services and can advise mental health patients on a wide range of issues – including access to NHS mental health services and detention under the Mental Health Act.

Duncan Lewis mental health solicitors regularly visit NHS hospitals to advise on mental health law – and are available across England and Wales at short notice for hospital and police station appointments.

In some cases, Duncan Lewis mental health solicitors may be able to advise the nearest relative or carer of a mental health patient on a range of issues, including initiating treatment reviews where appropriate.

For expert legal advice on mental health law, call the Duncan Lewis Mental Health Solicitors Helpline on 020 3114 1124.