Pledge by emergency services toreduce stigma of mental health

Will Hancock, right, signs the Time to Change Pledge on behalf of South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, of which he is chief executive

South Central Ambulance Service has pledged to reduce the stigma of mental health.

Scas chief executive Will Hancock signed the Blue Light Time To Change Pledge to show the commitment of emergency services.

As the lead for mental health at the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives and member on the expert advisory panel for the Blue Light Programme and the NHS England task force on mental health, Mr Hancock said he is passionate about making improvements.

He said: ‘There is no health without mental health, it is as simple as that.

‘Caring is a core Scas value and it is vital that we can sustain our own wellbeing and support one another as well as our patients.’

Paul Farmer, chief executive of Mind, said: ‘Not only are many of our blue light personnel struggling with their mental health, but they’re less likely to seek support or have time off sick than the general workforce.

‘Good mental health should be a priority in any workplace, but it is especially important that people exposed to traumatic or life-threatening situations receive appropriate support.’

Scas has joined over 300 employers in signing the Time To Change Pledge.