Resilient Responders: Improving the health and well-being of emergency service staff
A sector in crisis
Even prior to the pandemic, the mental well-being of emergency responders was a significant concern, with nine out of ten emergency responder staff and volunteers reporting that they had experienced stress, low mood, or poor mental health at some point during their careers.
The unprecedented pressures on the emergency services during the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the issue, with 69% of emergency responders feeling their mental health has deteriorated as a result of the pandemic. The long-term impact of the last few years on emergency responders needs urgently addressing to prevent a mental health epidemic among staff.
A simple solution that works
“Feedback we’ve had on the Transcendental Meditation course has been nothing but positive. You could just see the difference immediately amongst those who took the course, and they’ve told us how it’s helped them both mentally and physically. It’s something staff have really responded to - it’s easy for them to do as it can be practiced anywhere, and it’s clearly working and benefitting the staff.” – Mark Layton, Health and Wellbeing Mental Health Engagement Advisor, Yorkshire Ambulance Service
Over 100 emergency service staff in the UK have now learnt Transcendental Meditation, and are reporting:
- Increased energy
- Increased enjoyment of their work
- Increased calmness
- Increased resilience
- Decreased stress
- Decreased insomnia
- Decreased anxiety and depression
- Decreased PTSD symptoms
- Decreased burnout
How Transcendental Meditation works
Transcendental Meditation allows the mind to settle down to a state of inner calm. This mental calmness causes a corresponding state of deep physical rest, enabling the release of accumulated fatigue and stress. The process is easy and enjoyable, involving no concentration or effort, and is recommended to be practiced for 20 minutes twice a day.
Help support our work with emergency service staff
We always have a waiting list of staff wanting to learn the technique. Please consider making a donation today to help us continue this vital work for our emergency service staff.
