Working in the emergency services is tough and with that, there’s always the assumption that those working in the industry, are incredibly tough at all times and just deal with what’s thrown at them.
Whilst that is true, there needs to be more understanding when it comes to them being vulnerable and having higher risks of developing poor mental wellbeing…
How UKIM Occupational Health & Wellbeing Can Help:
At UKIM Occupational Health & Wellbeing, we can support emergency services and workers with our counselling and psychology services. We understand the struggles that come with the job and that’s why we’re ready to help the emergency services sector with our suite of services, including psychological and mental health support. With such support, the stigma surrounding mental health can be broken down and those people on the frontline will be healthy all-round; as well as the very much needed services…
- Counselling & Psychology
- Wellbeing Strategies
- Absence Management
- Pre-placement Assessments
What are the benefits of having occupational health support?
By investing in occupational health and wellbeing services, it ultimately means that teams of emergency service workers will be fit, healthy, and full. Less emergency service workers will take time off on sick leave due to poor mental health, and by having support available, it’ll help those who have taken time off return to work smoothly and in a positive way. Teams across departments will be full and working to the best of their ability because they’ll feel healthier and confident within themselves. The general stigma surrounding mental health amongst emergency service workers will be reduced as talking is encouraged amongst teams and counsellors.
- Less absences
- Reduced absence costs
- Better mental health
- Employees can return to work quickly & smoothly
- Full teams and coverage
- Less stigma
How does stigma impact emergency services?
This can very much be likened to the attitudes of the ‘be a man’ and ‘man-up’ stigmas that are heavily present in society. Emergency service workers are seen to just get on as it’s the job they signed up for, but that doesn’t take anything away from the struggles they can experience. In actuality, they’ll need more support and help than ever since they’re exposed to harsh and traumatic situations that many of us don’t come across in our day-to-day lives.
In many ways, it’s understandable that there needs to be a level of emotional resilience in such dangerous jobs, but it doesn’t mean that there shouldn’t be mental health support, as it can actually make emergency service workers more resilient in the long-run.
The stigma can have a negative impact on emergency service workers as they might feel like they can’t go and talk to their managers in case they get viewed as weak, don’t get a promotion or get taken off a job. They might be worried about what their colleagues think of them too. As a result of not opening up or seeking support, their mental health can worsen and actually develop into conditions like anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and more…
Furthermore, it can actually cause a lot of people to leave jobs they once loved or have to take a long sickness absence from work, leaving services under-staffed, causing even further problems.
