This year’s theme, Access to Services: Mental Health in Catastrophes and Emergencies, highlights how vital it is for frontline responders to have the right support in place when dealing with challenging incidents.
Blue light responders, from the control room to the incident ground routinely face demanding and emotionally charged situations. SFRS recognises the importance of ensuring that everyone has access to practical, confidential, and timely mental health support.
Acknowledging these risks, Deputy Chief Fire Officer, Henry Griffin outlined SFRS’s approach to supporting staff wellbeing:
“Firefighters and blue light staff often experience situations that can be emotionally taxing. At SFRS, we take staff wellbeing extremely seriously, not just during major incidents but every day.
“We want every member of our service to know that support is available whenever it’s needed, and that asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.”
Reflecting this priority, SFRS offers access to a comprehensive range of support services, including:
- Mental Health First Aiders offering peer-to-peer guidance
- Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) for structured debriefs, counselling, and follow-up support after traumatic incidents (firefighters and control room staff)
- Peer support networks and union representatives for confidential conversations and signposting
- The Fire Fighters Charity, which delivers programmes to promote mental health, resilience, and overall wellbeing, including counselling, practical support, and wellbeing workshops
Reflecting on mental health challenges across the community, Suffolk County Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Health and Public Protection, Councillor Steve Wiles, said:
“World Mental Health Day is a reminder that everyone’s mental health matters, whether responding to an emergency or coping with everyday pressures. Taking time to offload by sharing your feelings with a colleague, someone outside of work, or a trained counsellor, doing something you enjoy, or getting out into nature can all make a difference.
“Reaching out for support isn’t something to be ashamed of - it’s one of the most sensible steps you can take to safeguard your own wellbeing and your relationships with others.”
SFRS is also sharing practical guidance from the Mental Health Foundation about how to manage stress and emotional overload during global events and relentless negative news. This includes setting boundaries, having phone-free time, living in the moment, focusing on what you can control and giving yourself permission to rest.
Members of the public experiencing mental health challenges can access local support through:
