In the emergency services, you’re used to thinking about other people’s safety. But if you feel unable to keep yourself safe and need immediate help, you should use the emergency services yourself. You can do this by calling 999 or by taking yourself to your nearest accident and emergency department.
They’re there for you, the blue light community, just as you’re there for everyone else.
For free, confidential, emotional support:
Any of these options will put you in touch with a trained volunteer. These services are independent, not connected with your work, and you don’t have to give them your name or details.
If you need ways to help yourself cope in a crisis, there are ideas and practical tools you can use right now, on Mind’s main website. (This will open in a new tab.)
Whatever you’re going through, Samaritans are there to listen – 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Samaritans offer a safe place for you to talk any time you like, in your own way – about whatever’s getting to you. They won’t judge you or tell you what to do, they’ll listen to you.
Essential services staff who are working on the frontlines can call free on 116 123 to speak in confidence with a trained listening volunteer.
Shout is the UK’s free 24/7 crisis text line.
They provide a dedicated support service to help emergency services staff look after their own mental health and wellbeing as they work to protect the country in situations that can often be traumatic.
Simply text BLUELIGHT to 85258 to talk by text with one of their trained crisis volunteers.
If you’d like to talk to someone about what you’re going through, Hospice UK have created a free phone line for frontline workers, staffed by Just B. It is available 7 days a week from 8am to 8pm, and is confidential, so you can talk about what’s on your mind.
The trained staff and counsellors can help you with: bereavement and grief; trauma; emotional support; other ways the COVID-19 pandemic has affected you.
Call the Just B team now on 0300 303 4434.
The CALM helpline is there for anyone who needs to talk confidentially about a tough time they are experiencing. Calls are taken by trained staff who are there to listen, support, inform and signpost you to further information. The helpline is open from 5pm to midnight every day, 365 days a year. It is free to call from any landline.
Call the CALM helpline on 0800 58 58 58
Blue Light Together will be closing on 31st July 2023.
Find out more about additional sources of mental health support for the Emergency Services