Paramedics' Mental Health: Support Saves Careers

Paramedics are crediting a dedicated mental health support service with helping them remain in their demanding roles, as demand for such assistance reaches unprecedented levels. The South Western Ambulance Service Foundation Trust's 'Staying Well' initiative has supported more than 1,600 employees in the last year. This program has been crucial for staff facing significant mental health challenges, which are known to be higher among emergency responders compared to the general public.

The 'Staying Well' service, established a decade ago, has continuously adapted to meet growing needs, now featuring an in-house trauma therapist. Emergency medical dispatcher Toria Ford shared how the daily exposure to critical incidents and not knowing patient outcomes significantly impacted her. She emphasized that experiencing such trauma multiple times a day, unlike the general population, was incredibly difficult.

Paramedic Mylena Wheaton, with 17 years of service, also spoke about the emotional toll of the job, from births to fatalities. She found the 'Staying Well' service invaluable after realizing she was not coping well with routine calls. Both Ford and Wheaton expressed profound gratitude for the support, with Wheaton stating she might not be here without it, highlighting the crucial role of these services in retaining vital frontline staff.