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Fire Service supports Mental Health Awareness Week

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Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service (HWFRS) is supporting Mental Health Awareness Week that runs from 14th to 20th May. This year's focus is stress – we all know what it is like to feel stressed and feel under pressure. But becoming overwhelmed by stress can lead to mental health problems or make existing problems much worse.

During Mental Health Awareness Week we want to encourage the communities of Hereford and Worcester to create mentally healthy workplaces, where everyone feels valued and supported. As well as encouraging people to think about how they can manage their own stress in daily life and how they can offer a listening ear to support a colleague that may need to talk.

HWFRS Chief Fire Officer Nathan Travis said: "HWFRS knows the importance of mental health and we work closely with all our staff to ensure that our employees have access to mental health support through our: Critical Incident Support Team; Mediation, Intermediary and Listening Ear; along with HWFRS Occupational Health - Staff Counselling; and The Fire Fighters Charity."

He continued: "Helping to end any stigma and prejudice that surrounds mental health in the workplace is a key part of sustaining and supporting a healthy workforce. Employers can help lead the fight to stamp it out by making employees aware of Mental Health Awareness Week and lead the way by offering support and start the conversation about stress awareness in the workplace."

If you want to find out more about Mental Health Awareness Week, including downloadable resources' to help to create a less stressful workplace then visit Mind's Mental Health Awareness Week website.