Paramedic Mental Health and Wellbeing

‘Your mental health’ page

The mental health and wellbeing of paramedics is one of the five key strategic aims in the College of Paramedics 2019/24 Strategy.

Our Board of Trustees has placed mental health and wellbeing as a standing and priority item on every Board agenda. This will ensure that mental health awareness and the associated messages are front and centre in all discussions, events and communications. It is vital that we ensure the voice of the many paramedics that are experiencing difficulties with their mental health is heard loud and clear in everything the College of Paramedics engages in.  


Paramedic Mental Health and Wellbeing Steering Group 

Our Paramedic Mental Health and Wellbeing Steering Group are leading for us on several key workstreams. This includes awareness campaigns to reduce stigma and representation on national working groups conducting research and developing best practice guidelines.  

We are acutely aware that undergoing a HCPC investigation can be a very difficult, distressing and uncertain period of time and so we have now established our Peer Support Programme. The Peer Support Programme offers confidential one-to-one peer support to full members who have been notified that a Fitness to Practise complaint or concern raised against them with the HCPC has reached the threshold for investigation. The programme is not directly connected to the College of Paramedics Fitness to Practise legal representation scheme, although members may use that service in parallel with peer support.

Click here for mental health specific blogs. 

Mental Health Continuum 

Things that happen at work, or in our personal lives such as illness, bereavement, relationship difficulties, a new baby, and/or moving house, can all influence our mental states and wellbeing. Over our lifetime, we will all experience these fluctuations in response to things that happen in our lives. Sometimes we may be thriving and doing well. At other times, we may feel that we are struggling, or in crisis. The mental health continuum model is a visual illustration of how we can move between these differing wellbeing states.

Designed specifically for ambulance personnel, this tool asks you to consider your wellbeing over the previous week in relation to different statements. It allows for personal reflection on different areas of your health, and prompts you to think about what might help to enhance your wellbeing further. 

Read more on how to use the Mental Health Continuum here.

The mental health continuum may be used by an individual alone, or by, for example, a manager in collaboration with a staff member during an appraisal or return to work meeting. The tool promotes a shared common language to mental health that can aid wellbeing conversations and reduce stigma. 


         Please Click here for a downloadable version of the Continuum

 

Wellbeing events

We have a number of wellbeing events, free for members of the College of Paramedics available to book on our events page including counselling, surfing sessions and Yoga. Please see the full programme here

HELP AND SUPPORT 

#StayWellWithEsther

We would like to share with you a series of vlogs recorded by our friend Esther Murray, a Health Psychologist working at Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry.

Listen Here

PARAMEDIC MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT

In collaboration with colleagues at Practitioner Health we have created a specific page for paramedics to help you access the range of support services available. In addition to practical help and online resource links, this page gives contact details for an approved list of organisations that will provide free access to counselling, qualified therapists and registered practitioner psychological support. Click here to access 

Ambulance Service Support

The Ambulance Services in collaboration with the College of Paramedics and other organisations supporting the mental wellbeing of those working within Ambulance Services have produced this one page poster to help people identify how and where to access support. 


Click image for PDF version of this poster

'Looking out for Your Colleagues' Presentation 

The Mind Blue Light programme delivered a 30 minute session at the Emergency Services Show in 2019 on ‘Looking Out for Your Colleagues’. This includes guidance on what good mental health looks like and how to notice the signs of poor mental health in your colleagues and in yourself too. It also includes information on PTSD, signposting and where to go to get support. 
Watch it here…

#RUOK

Watch here as Gail Topping, QAM speaks openly about how her experiences as a paramedic affected her mental health, and how that led her to launch the #RUOK campaign to support her colleagues with their own wellbeing.

 

Free Suicide Prevention Training

The Zero Suicide Alliance is a collaborative of NHS trusts, businesses and individuals who are all committed to suicide prevention in the UK and beyond. The alliance provides free suicide prevention training which aims to enable people to identify when someone is presenting with suicidal thoughts or behaviour, to be able to speak out in a supportive manner, and to empower them to signpost the individual to the correct services or support.

Click here to start training.

TASC, the Ambulance Staff Charity

TASC, the Ambulance Staff Charity is the leading UK charity providing support to all present and past ambulance staff and their families in time of need, both in the NHS and independent sector. The services are independent of the ambulance service, are confidential, and include:

  • Psychological rehabilitation and counselling including stress and PTSD support
  • Physical rehabilitation
  • Financial grants
  • Debt advice
  • Welfare and other support
  • Bereavement support

To find out more about TASC’s work, visit www.theasc.org.uk or talk to a member of their Support Services team on 0800 1032 999 / support@theasc.org.uk

SURVIVORS OF BEREAVEMENT BY SUICIDE 

This charity exists to meet the needs and break the isolation experienced by those bereaved by suicide. They are a self-help organisation and aim to provide a safe, confidential environment in which bereaved people can share their experiences and feelings, so giving and gaining support from each other. They also strive to improve public awareness and maintain contacts with many other statutory and voluntary organisations.

Combat Stress

Combat Stress is the UK’s leading charity for veterans’ mental health. Combat Stress offer a range of treatment services in the community, at their specialist centres, on the phone and online, they develop a personalised programme for each veteran's individual needs. If you’re a veteran, service personnel in need of help, or if you know someone who you think needs help, contact us any time on our free Helpline, call, text or email:

Helpline: 0800 138 1619
Helpline text: 07537 404719
Helpline email: helpline@combatstress.org.uk
Website: www.combatstress.org.uk/about-us

In an emergency

If you feel you are unable to keep yourself safe; have thoughts to harm yourself or end your life, please call 999 so help can get to you. There are services and support mechanisms available to you that you may not be aware of, please take the first step and call for help. Samaritans can be called free of charge and anonymously if you wish on 116 123. 

Our NHS People

Helping you manage your own health and wellbeing whilst looking after others
 

7 Ways to Support Your Health and Wellbeing

See below for 7 ways to support your health and wellbeing whilst working during times of high stress. This has been put together by our colleagues at The Oxford Centre for Anxiety Disorders and Trauma, The University of Oxford. 

SUPPORT FOR HEALTHCARE STAFF INVOLVED IN A PATIENT SAFETY INCIDENT 

Second Victim Support recognises the impact a patient safety incident has on the healthcare providers involved. Whilst the patient and their family are always the priority, the Second Victim Support website seeks to help the staff involved, the 'second victims', identify the types of support they may need, and signposts to that help. The website advocates for a safety culture where patient safety incidents are managed in a way that enables learning and improves systems, founded on evidence.

MACMILLAN WELLBEING RESOURCES

The Macmillan Emotional Health and Wellbeing Hub is a central place for you to find resources to help with your wellbeing.
As healthcare professionals, we understand the enormous pressures you are under as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. It is easy to be so focused on the people you support, that you forget to look after yourself. So, it’s vital to try and remember that you cannot pour from an empty cup. That’s why Macmillan Professionals Well-being Hub was created, as a central place to be able to easily access resources to help you strengthen self-care and look after your own wellbeing.

OUR FRONTLINE

Our Frontline is a partnership between Shout, Samaritans, Mind, Hospice UK and The Royal Foundation of the Prince and Princess of Wales. Our Frontline offers round-the-clock one-to-one support, by call or text, from trained volunteers, plus resources, tips and ideas to look after your mental health. Click here to learn more.