Opening up: Firefighters perspectives on mental health

Ignite the Conversation: Louise’s story

Content notice: This episode includes discussion of stress, trauma, and emotional wellbeing. We are not mental health professionals. We share experiences and research to encourage open conversation. If you need support, please speak with a mental health professional or your GP.  Episode 2 of Ignite the Conversation brings our first guest to the mic; Louise a Crew Manager whose honesty, strength and vulnerability set the tone for the series. She talks with Lee and Warren candidly about the realities of being a woman in the fire service, her job, and the moments that pushed her to reflect on her own wellbeing.  This conversation shines a light on the power of sharing, the importance of checking in with ourselves, and the role of supportive teams in breaking down stigma around mental health.  New episodes released every three months.  We reference some research in this episode, read more below:   https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0161749 [https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0161749]  https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0317615 [https://url.uk.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/LJNjC6YpmsrQ9yVS6h5T5n-gd?domain=doi.org]  https://doi.org/10.3390/biology12020211 [https://url.uk.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/DiGoC7DqnfA36ZEsBi1ToHFHP?domain=doi.org]  https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s004210050065 [https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s004210050065]  https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9280.2005.01624.x [https://url.uk.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/1D2zC0Aj2iG6WmJI3uXT933aw?domain=doi.org]  https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0062593 [https://url.uk.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/WGI7Cg7WxHAVWGPsZCrT4McEn?domain=doi.org]  https://doi.org/10.1093/scan/nsv136 [https://url.uk.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/jrdgCjAWvinpJRlfxFPTmZqzD?domain=doi.org]  https://doi.org/10.1093/scan/nsaa042 [https://url.uk.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/w-FBCk6WwiOm05Yu0H2TGkrL5?domain=doi.org]  https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychiatry/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2022.795055/full?fbclid=IwY2xjawRpONJleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETB0M2RZd2prb1JrdEhvYkgwc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHhnklQdzm-qeq-h5Ldy7cQJ3RbVHbaf8uou20233OGQsJXta169hwZacOVJm_aem_LuyGWbRE_0RBFBBumvamGA [https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychiatry/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2022.795055/full?fbclid=IwY2xjawRpONJleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETB0M2RZd2prb1JrdEhvYkgwc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHhnklQdzm-qeq-h5Ldy7cQJ3RbVHbaf8uou20233OGQsJXta169hwZacOVJm_aem_LuyGWbRE_0RBFBBumvamGA]  https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240084278 [https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240084278]

Opening up: Firefighters perspectives on mental health

Content notice: Discussion of mental health andemotional wellbeing. We are not mental health experts or professionals.We are sharing information and opening up the conversation based on our experience and research. If you need support, please reach out to a mental health professional or your GP. Ignite the Conversation is a podcast produced by Avon Fire & Rescue Service, hosted by firefighters Lee Ralph and Warren Shepherd. Although rooted in the fire service, it is for anyonewith an interest in emergency services.  This episode explores mental health and the impact the job can have on and off the fireground, aiming to encourage openness, reduce stigma and remind people of the importance of talking and supporting one another.  References: Fireand rescue incident statistics: England, year ending September 2023 - GOV.UK [https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/fire-and-rescue-incident-statistics-year-ending-september-2023/fire-and-rescue-incident-statistics-england-year-ending-september-2023#:~:text=For%20the%20year%20ending%20September%202023%2C%20the,suicide%20attempts%20increasing%20by%2010%25%2C%20to%202%2C981.]