This group was set up in March 2018, building on previous work of paramedic colleagues David Davis and Chris Richmond and now provides a solid base and focus for future work in this area. The members of the group work across different settings, both clinical and non-clinical and bring a broad range of experience and expertise with them. See our group members here .
The work of the Steering Group aligns with the College of Paramedics 2019/24 strategic aim to support paramedic mental health and wellbeing.
Some of the highlights of work by the group includes…
- Collaboration with partner and support organisations such as, The Royal College of Psychiatrists, Mind, TASC and the National Suicide Prevention Alliance.
- Here, members of the Steering Group David Davis and Imogen Carter sign the Mind Blue Light Time to Change pledge:
- Organisation of the Paramedic Mental Health and Wellbeing Stakeholder Collaboration Day where individuals from a range of organisations came together with the shared aim of improving the support for paramedic mental health.
Communication, promotion and awareness raising is a key area of focus for the group, regularly using multi-platform communication with members and the paramedic profession on key mental health dates in the calendar and key messages such as, #mentalhealthawareness, it’s good to talk, #itsoknottobeok, #suicideprevention, #timetotalk and #reducingstigma.
Reducing the stigma associated with mental health is a particular aim of our regular Mental Health Blog series. This series features frontline paramedics and those in more senior leadership positions talking about and sharing their lived experiences.
Collaboration is a key area of importance to us in order to combine and coordinate our efforts and resources. We work with the major employers of paramedics on both highlighting the importance of staff wellbeing and improving the care given to patient’s experiencing mental health difficulties. One specific piece of work is aimed at reducing the numbers of self-referrals by paramedics to the HCPC for fitness to practice concerns. Bernice Hancox has led the development of the Peer Support Programme. Launched in December 2019 is provides full members who are undergoing an HCPC investigation with one to one confidential support.
For more information on the Paramedic Mental Health and Wellbeing Steering Group please contact liz.harris@collegeofparamedics.co.uk
Mental Health workstream update: Sept 21
This presentation was delivered to the College of Paramedics Board of Trustees, at their meeting in Sept. 2021.