Former Firefighter Supports Suicide Crisis Line After Own Mental Health Struggles

A former firefighter is supporting a new suicide crisis line for fire and rescue service personnel which has received 24 calls in its first month of operation.

Recognising the increased risk of suicide for fire service personnel that can come from working around traumatic events - and having invested significantly over recent years in its provision of mental health support services - The Fire Fighters Charity launched the new Crisis Line in November, in a bid to directly help firefighters and members of fire service personnel actively experiencing thoughts of suicide.

Paul Weller, who worked as a West Sussex firefighter for 10 years before his retirement in 2015 following a football injury, has shared his support for this vital resource.

Paul says the knock-on effect of having to leave the job he loved, alongside tragically losing two of his close friends, had a major impact on his mental health - and having access to a crisis line like the one just launched by the Charity would have been a huge help for him.

“I think this crisis line is sadly very needed, more so now maybe than when I was going through what I was,” says Paul.

“If people feel like there’s somewhere they can call that’s completely confidential – nobody knows they’ve called – and they can be completely honest over the phone, then that’s amazingly helpful.

“I think if that had been available when I was going through what I was going through then I would have used it. I have used similar things since, and they’re so helpful.”

You can read Paul's full story, and watch his video, here.

Sharon Bailey, The Fire Fighters Charity’s Director of Beneficiary Services, said of the Crisis Line’s first operational month:

“Every suicide is a tragedy, with a life cut short. So, while I wish that there was no need for our Crisis Line, this first month has demonstrated just how important it is.”

Referencing a heartbreaking promotional film that the Charity released last week, Sharon added:

“By providing a Crisis Line, staffed by clinicians with a deep understanding of the unique pressures faced by fire service personnel, we hope that we can provide the safety net that’s needed in order to prevent these tragedies from happening.”

The 24/7 Fire Fighters Charity Crisis Line was launched on November 1 at the Emergency Services Mental Health Symposium, supported by The Royal Foundation.

The Fire Fighters Charity supporter and broadcaster, Clare Balding, also leant her support to the Charity’s Crisis Line, participating in a social media film to highlight the importance of suicide crisis support for fire service personnel, and to urge the public to donate in support of the Charity’s work in this area.

With the Charity’s annual running costs funded almost entirely through donations, the set up and first year costs of the new Crisis Line have been funded by the Blue Light Card Foundation (BLCF), with sustainability funding for two subsequent years agreed by fire and rescue services, supported by the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC).

Dr Jill Tolfrey, Chief Executive of The Fire Fighters Charity, said of the new 24/7 Crisis Line:

“By launching our Crisis Line, we can offer specialised support to our beneficiaries. Whatever the time of day, there will be someone on the end of the phone who understands the unique pressures facing those who work in the emergency services, and who can offer the vital support that’s needed in that moment and thereafter, through immediate and ongoing support.”

Also referencing the Charity’s need for public support, Dr Tolfrey added:

“We are pleased to have secured initial funding from Blue Light Card Foundation and a commitment to further funding from fire and rescue services. However, to tackle issues like suicide and to provide comprehensive mental health support for the whole fire services community across the UK, we are still dependent on our donors and supporters. So, as ever, we are grateful for every penny people donate to us to help keep our fire family healthy and happy.”

Naomi Adie, General Manager of Blue Light Card Foundation, said:

“We're delighted to have funded this vital crisis line for The Fire Fighters Charity. Platforms such as these are well-documented in their ability to provide vital, often life-saving support to those in need of immediate wellbeing assistance - an issue significantly magnified for those working within the fire service.

“We hope that this crisis line provides a safe and dedicated space for firefighters to seek support should they need to, and feel confident in the fact that help is always available, 24 hours a day, when needed.”

Chair of the National Fire Chiefs Council, Mark Hardingham, said:

“A death by suicide devastates family, friends, colleagues and the wider community. In fire and rescue services, where people often work in small teams, the impact of someone taking their own life has a devasting impact on the immediate team, the individual fire service and the entire fire and rescue services family.

“The new Crisis Line will provide immediate support where any member of the fire service community with suicidal thoughts can speak to a clinician any time of day or night and receive individual support. The new service has the full backing of the National Fire Chiefs Council and UK fire and rescue services.”

The Fire Fighters Charity 24/7 Crisis Line number is 0300 373 0896 and the Charity’s suite of online resources for anyone worried about themselves or someone else can be accessed at www.firefighterscharity.org.uk/safespace

To support The Fire Fighters Charity, meanwhile you can donate online at www.firefighterscharity.org.uk/donate