Frontline workers experience mental health issues during pandemic

The survey also showed 69 per cent of emergency responders feel their mental health has deteriorated during the pandemic.

“Improving wellbeing makes frontline working safer, more effective and more rewarding, so we must now make it a priority to build resilience in our emergency services,” explained David Brown, Event Director of the Emergency Services Show.

This year’s Emergency Services Show (ESS), taking place at the NEC in Birmingham, UK, on 7 and 8 September 2021, is designed to equip front line workers with the tools and techniques needed to maximize wellbeing.

Speakers address frontline workers’ wellbeing

The show will feature practitioners, front line responders and experts in the field, including Andy Elwood, former Royal Air Force paramedic and now campaigner on mental wellbeing, and Greg Lesson from London Fire Brigade who will talk about the work he has been doing on nutrition and diet with the Fire Service to maintain peak physical and mental shape. Anna Stec, Professor in Fire Chemistry and Toxicity at the University of Central Lancashire, UK, will present a session on minimising firefighters’ exposure to toxic fire effluents.

Diversity in the fire and rescue service will be covered by Jenny Pollock and Emma Shute from the organization Women to Work. They will share their experiences of working with South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue to overcome the barriers to women’s progression in the service.

Visitors can also find out how a digital workplace platform called ‘87%’ has helped tens of thousands of frontline workers to build mental fitness throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. The platform has been used by National Health Service Practitioner Health, the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, Air Ambulances UK, the London Ambulance Service, and Police Scotland.

In January, air ambulance charities launched a national wellness campaign during the pandemic.