Quick
Shout provides a free 24/7 text support service for emergency services staff and first responders. Text BLUELIGHT to 85258 to talk by text with a trained crisis volunteer.
Toolkit
Our Frontline: support for emergency services
Working in the emergency services can be tough. It’s important to protect your mental health as best you can – on a daily basis, not just after the dramatic moments. Those around you play a big part in this too: colleagues, leaders, friends and family.
Emergency services staff, talk with someone who gets it.
- Text FRONTLINE to 85258
- Or call 0800 069 6222 from 7am to 11pm if you’re ambulance staff in England, or 116 123 for any emergency services staff, anywhere, any time, to talk to Samaritans.
All in confidence with trained volunteers.
Discover resources recommended for emergency services workers below, or click here to see a longer list of resources.
Your stories
“I was too scared to be myself so I did my true identity.”
“Everyone I know has experienced some sort of impact to their mental health.”
“It shows great courage to speak to someone about what’s going on in your head.”
Resources in this toolkit:
Quick
For all other emergency services staff working on the frontlines, Samaritans are there to listen - 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Call free on 116 123 to speak in confidence with a trained listening volunteer.
Resources
Police Care UK
Police Care UK is the charity for serving and veteran police officers and staff, volunteers and their families who have suffered any physical or psychological harm as a result of policing. They offer practical, emotional and financial support.
Even during the COVID-19 crisis, ambulance staff must deal with traumatic situations every day. The Ambulance Staff Charity have collated a number of resources to support your mental health during this time.
Resources
The Fire Fighters Charity
The Fire Fighters Charity aims to support the mental, physical and social needs of all serving and retired UK fire fighters. Register your details online and they'll get back to you, or call them on 0800 3898820 to discuss how they could help you.
Resources
Lifelines Scotland
Lifelines Scotland is a project designed to help first responders to stay well, beat stress and boost your resilience.
Resources
Managing stress and anxiety (Ambulance)
Mind have created this PDF booklet to explore some of the causes of stress and anxiety for the ambulance service, and have brought together some tips to help you cope better at work.
Mind have created this PDF booklet to explore some of the causes of stress and anxiety for the fire service, and have brought together some tips to help you cope better at work.
Resources
Managing stress and anxiety (Police)
Mind have created this PDF booklet to explore some of the causes of stress and anxiety for the police force, and have brought together some tips to help you cope better at work.
Resources
Blue Light wellbeing framework
The Blue Light Wellbeing Framework is designed to help you assess and address the unique challenges that can affect the mental health and wellbeing of people working in the emergency services.
