Mental Health

Thank you for your Freedom of Information request.  Please find responses below.

•             Upon entry to the fire-brigade are there any psychometric tests to assess the mental stability of individuals regarding the stressors of exposure to trauma? (past mental health history, any current issues etc)

No psychometric tests at recruitment stage. All employees are assessed by Occupational Health prior to employment and medical history is discussed.

TRim (Trauma Risk Management) service/Mental Health First Aiders/Health & Wellbeing services are covered as part of the induction

•             Are there any current monitoring techniques such as questionnaires that

are undertaken regularly in order to assess the mental health of employees?(are they only if a serious incident occur or a regular, compulsory exercise for employees)

We have TRim (Trauma Risk Management) that is put in place following a serious incident but also can be recommended or requested by employees. This is not a regular, compulsory exercise.

We also have a Stress Risk Assessment Questionnaire that can be completed with an employee alongside their line manager if they are stressed at work. Again this is not a regular, compulsory exercise but if requested by the employee or recommended by Occupational Health.

•             Regarding mental-health treatment, do individuals need to reach out for help, or is it regularly offered to employees?

No they do not need to reach out to be able to access help, we regularly promote the mental health services we have within the service either by email, weekly newsletters, posters or leaflets on stations, meetings, at incidents or during debriefs, health and wellbeing events that are held and information is readily accessible via a dedicated area on our internal intranet page.

•             What kind of help do you offer to those suffering with mental health issues?

• Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service offers all employees access to a range of services to support them in their mental health and wellbeing. Information on all the services we offer is on the Health and Wellbeing tile on the internal intranet
• Our external Occupational Health service provides a full range of services to staff including advice and support on mental health & wellbeing issues, and also referrals to CBT specialists and NOSS
• We regularly hold Health and Wellbeing events at our Headquarters in conjunction with our Occupational Health provider
• All employees have access to NOSS a service which lets them self-refer at any time
• As part of our ongoing commitment to health and wellbeing, we are signed up to the MIND Blue light Time to Change pledge to show our commitment as an emergency service employer to challenge mental health stigma and discrimination within our service. The programme offers mental health support for emergency services employees.
• We have TRiM (Trauma Risk Management) which is in place to effectively manage the welfare needs of individuals who are, or have been, exposed to potentially traumatic incidents. It is also to give an awareness of the cumulative effects of a number of such incidences in a short space of time, and for assistance with other stress related issues that are affecting a person’s work/life balance. At Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service we have a number of employees who have been trained to be TRiM Practitioners and all staff and their families can contact them if they are seeking help.
• We also have a numerous employees who have undertaken training to become Mental Health First Aiders and are a point of contact if you, or someone you are concerned about, are experiencing a mental health issue or emotional distress. They are not therapists or psychiatrists but they can give you initial support and signpost you to appropriate help if required
• The service has a Brigade Chaplain who is able to offer appropriate pastoral guidance to staff and their families of all faiths. The Chaplain will hold services or remembrance ceremonies for families of SFRS staff. In addition, at certain incidents and especially in the case of major incidents of a catastrophic nature, the Chaplain may be able to offer some comfort to both victims and their families.
• Employee also have access to/ and we regularly promote the service of The Firefighters Charity which is the UK's leading provider of services that enhance quality of life for serving and​​ retired firefighters, Fire Control Staff, Support Services Staff and their dependents. ​​The Charity offers support services across the UK to help with mental health including psychological rehabilitation, recuperation breaks, child and family programme and nursing care as well as advice, information and support.

•             Are your department currently working on any improvements to your mental health facilities

We are constantly reviewing the services that we offer via quarterly health and wellbeing meetings, Monthly attendance management meetings and any advice from Occupational Health  

•             Upon retirement or leaving of the fire brigade do you offer any follow up mental health support for employees?

Employees who have left or retired are sent out a pack from the Firefighters Charity as part of their leaver paperwork with all the details of the support they can access (for physical and mental health issues) once they have left