People from all walks of life can experience issues with their mental health and wellbeing, staff working within the ambulance service are susceptible to experience issues more than most. So, we have put together some useful information about what it is and how you can support yourself and others.
Information
What is mental health?
Mental health is an integral and essential component of health. It is a state of well-being in which an individual realises his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and is able to make a contribution to his or her community (WHO, 2018).
What are the types of mental health problems?
There are many types of mental health problems, these include:
- Anger
- Anxiety and panic attacks
- Bipolar disorder
- Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD)
- Borderline personality disorder (BPD)
- Depression
- Dissociation and dissociative disorders
- Drugs – recreational drugs and alcohol
- Eating problems
- Hearing voices
- Hoarding
- Hypomania and mania
- Loneliness
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Panic attacks
- Paranoia
- Personality disorders
- Phobias
- Postnatal depression and perinatal mental health
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)
- Psychosis
- Schizoaffective disorder
- Schizophrenia
- Seasonal affective disorder (SAD)
- Self-esteem
- Self-harm
- Sleep problems
- Stress
- Suicidal feelings
- Tardive dyskinesia
- Trauma
The mental health charity Mind has some great information pages available that will help you learn more about these types of mental health problems here: Mind: types of mental health problems.
What is wellbeing?
The Oxford dictionary defines wellbeing as the state of being comfortable, healthy, or happy. In reality, what one person feels is their perfect state of wellbeing is likely to be totally different from someone else’s. This is because we all have different goals, ambitions and personalities.
The World Health Organisation defines wellbeing as a state of complete physical, mental, and social wellbeing, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.
It can be said that wellbeing does not have a specific meaning, but it describes an individual’s overall mental state and considers how the way they feel impacts on how they can cope with everyday life.
People with good mental wellbeing can feel confident and have positive self-esteem, build and maintain effective relationships, live and work productively, cope with the stresses of daily life, and adapt to changes.
Mental wellbeing can be influenced by various different factors, these include repeated exposure to traumatic incidents, the impact of physical injuries, pressure of workload, suffering from personal loss, relationship problems, financial worries, and loneliness.
What is it like to have a mental health problem?
Depending on the mental health problem or illness, people are likely to have different experiences. However, most people will feel low, anxious, irritable, or all of these or more at the same time.
It is often upsetting, frightening and confusing experiencing a mental health problem. It can be difficult for someone to talk about their problems or reach out for help, which is likely to increase their distress and feelings of loneliness.
Some of the symptoms of mental health problems include having a low mood for a long time, finding it difficult to concentrate, changes in mood, sleeping less or too much, finding it difficult to manage everyday life, feeling teary, having suicidal thoughts, becoming isolated and withdrawn, excessive spending, believing others want to harm you, and experiencing hallucinations.
Statistics
Support
How can I care for myself as a member of staff in the ambulance service?
Our daily job is to help and support other people during their time of need, but this continual exposure can have a negative affect on our own mental health and wellbeing. It is known that people in the emergency services are more likely to face mental health problems, but less likely to seek support.
Dealing with difficult jobs and experiences in life can be challenging, which is why it is important to build resilience. Mental resilience is the ability to cope with, adapt to, or bounce back after experiencing unpleasant events. Building resilience will help your capacity to stay mentally well during these difficult times. You can try to build your mental health resilience by talking about how you feel with others, building health relationships, looking after your own physical health, taking part in an activity you enjoy, setting yourself a challenge, relaxing, and identify your mood triggers.
Sometimes this mental health resilience is not enough and there may be times when you recognise that you need further help. This decision is not always easy to get to and can often take longer than it probably should do. It is important to recognise the need for help early on as poor mental wellbeing can lead to further mental health problems such as depression and PTSD. You can seek help from various places including your employer, medical support and charities.
How can I support a colleague?
With your knowledge and experiences of dealing with others with mental health problems, there may be occasions when you notice a colleague who may be suffering and you want to try and help them. This can be daunting as it can be a sensitive subject for others, you can use these tips to assist you:
- Show your support by asking them how they are feeling
- Ask them if you can help them at all
- Treat and communicate them as you would normally
- Do not just talk about mental health
- Show that they can trust you and you respect them
- Remind them what support and services are available to support them.
- If they are not yet ready to get help, be patient and continue to offer your support and reassurance.
How can I help someone else?
There are many ways you can help and support someone else who may be suffering with their mental health and wellbeing, but it is not always easy to know what to do.
Mental Health First Aid has created a 5 stage action plan which you can use as a basic principle to support some one else:
- Approach the individual, assess and assist with any crisis
- Listen and communicate non-judgmentally
- Give support and information
- Encourage the person to get appropriate professional help
- Encourage other supports, e.g. family, friends and self-help.
Some other tips to use when you are supporting someone include:
- Be a good listener to identify and understand what help and support they require
- Encourage active coping – help them to make their own decisions about the next steps they will take to get help
- Encourage and support them to connect with their loved ones, friends, community or spiritual supports
- Recognise the individual’s cultural preferences and needs
- Have a non-judgemental approach
- Respect them as a person with their own knowledge, experience and expertise about their lives
- Listen to what is most important to them regarding the support that is available
- Do not make assumptions about how they may be feeling or how they want to be treated
- Know how to look after your own wellbeing and access social support through friends, family and colleagues.
How can I improve my mental wellbeing?
There are 5 simple steps you can take to improve your own mental wellbeing.
- Connect and communicate with others. Developing good relationships can help you have a sense of belonging and self-worth, provide you with an opportunity to share good experiences, and provide emotional support.
- Stay physically active. Keeping active can raise your self-esteem, help you to set your own personal goals and challenges, cause your brain to produce endorphins that can lift your mood.
- Learn new skills. This can help by improving your self-confidence, build a sense of purpose, and connect with others.
- Be kind and give to others. Acts of kindness and giving can help your wellbeing by providing you with positive feelings, giving you a feeling of purpose and self-worth, and help you to connect with others.
- Participate in mindfulness and pay attention to the present moment. This can help you to enjoy your life more and understand yourself better.
What can I do if I’m not sure how I’m feeling?
If your feelings, thoughts and reactions are getting in the way of how you want to live, if you feel things are not quite right, or if you feel like you may need help, you can reach out and get it. There are many support services available who will listen and give you support.
If your mood is a little bit different to what it usually is but you’re not quite sure why, the NHS has a Mood Self-Assessment tool which you can use to help better understand how you are feeling.
Mental health problems can change your life and can be overwhelming. This is why it is important to talk about how you feel with someone and seek the help and support you may need. You are never on your own, there are many ways you can access support which are listed below. Experiencing mental health problems are common and can happen to all kinds of people. It is OK not to be OK. More often than not, when you find the right mixture of support, treatment and self-care that works for you, you will get better.
How can I get help?
You are not alone and it is ok to ask for help.
If you have a concern about your own mental health you should visit your GP for advice and support as soon as you can. If you are in distress, need immediate help and are unable to see your GP, you should visit your local Accident & Emergency.
You can access employer support, medical support or other charities and organisations. Your employer is likely to have some mechanisms in place to support you and your colleagues. Medical support available to you can be accessed through your GP who will be able to give you a diagnosis, medications, and provide a range of treatment options. If you are experiencing a more urgent situation, you can call 111, visit A&E or call 999 for immediate assistance. There are a variety of charities that can provide support for mental health and wellbeing, some of which we have listed below.
What mental health support organisations are available?
Samaritans
The Samaritans provide support 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year.
Call 116 123 for free.
Mind
Mind offer information and advice about all things mental health.
You can visit their website or call the Mind infoline on 0300 123 3393.
Shout
Shout provide a crisis support text line which is 24/7, confidential and free.
Text SHOUT to 85258.
Rethink Mental Illness
Rethink have an advice and information line available Monday to Friday 09:30-16:00. They provide advice on issues such as the Mental Health Act, community care and welfare benefits, living with mental illness, medication and care
Call 0300 5000 927.
CALM
CALM is the Campaign Against Living Miserably, aimed specifically at men. Their helpline is available 5pm to midnight every day of the year.
Call 0800 58 58 58.
The Ambulance Staff Charity
The Ambulance Staff Charity are dedicated to supporting the UK’s ambulance community. Their services include include counselling, support with trauma and PTSD, debt advice, bereavement support and general wellbeing advice.
Call 0800 1032 999.
Able Futures
Able Futures provides support to people working and living with mental health difficulties, employers and providers of apprenticeships. Able Futures can offer up to nine months of support at no cost. Their helpline is open 8:00 to 22:30, Monday to Friday.
Call 0800 321 3137.
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