At an invite only event on Thursday, 18th May 2023, Corps Security encouraged the security and FM industries to come together and help to break the stigma around mental health.
Security officers have a difficult and sometimes physically impactful job, and a 2020 study by key speaker, Professor Mark Button, found that poor mental health is prevalent, with 40% of officers showing signs of PTSD.
The event was an opportunity for the security industry to come together to understand mental health and start to make changes in support of the tens of thousands of security personnel across the country.
After an introduction from Corps’ managing director, Paul Lotter, the audience were educated on how to identify poor mental health in individuals, and how this may manifest in our teams. Christie Alkin, Lead Research Occupational Therapist at Combat Stress delivered some real insight in this area.
Professor Mark Button followed, with more details on his research into the industry, in its first public presentation since its release in April 2020.
The next speaker, Mike Hurst is the director of SecurityMindsMatter. For those unaware, this voluntary group have mental health in the security industry at their core, making Mike’s speech the most important when reaching out to the wider security industry.
Following a video of security personnel discussing their mental health, it was time to commit to improvement in the industry.
Corps Security pledges to FOUR key commitments
Chris Middleton, Director of Major Accounts at Corps Security and member of SecurityMindsMatter took to the stage to discuss what the immediate future would look like.
The event was the opportunity for the security industry to come together and commit to improving mental health in the sector and break the stigma around it. Corps therefore made the decision to ‘get the ball rolling’ by making some essential commitments, announced on the day. So, what are they, and how can other security companies get involved?
Commitments
- OFFICER SIGNPOSTING CARDS
SecurityMindsMatter have created signposting cards for all officers, with QR codes and resources for officers and colleagues to access online support around their mental health. Corps Security have printed 5,000 for its officers. Other companies can do the same, with their own logos, by contacting Mike Hurst directly. Will you commit to this?
- OPEN DAYS AT CORPS SECURITY’S LONDON OFFICE
Corps have agreed to two open days at its facilities in Farringdon, London – where mental health training will be provided to senior personnel and managers across the security sector. If you would like members of your team to join these sessions, contact details are below.
- MENTAL HEALTH CONTINUUM
A mental health continuum has been created, off the back of the great work done by the Ambulance Service. The continuum allows individuals, or managers, to identify where a person sits on the mental health spectrum and provide guidance and signposting support for anyone in need. Get yourself a copy on the contact details below.
- SECURITY MENTAL WELLNESS COVENANT
To encourage long-term commitment to the cause, it has been proposed and is widely supported that security companies sign up to a Mental Wellness Covenant specifically for the security industry. SecurityMindsMatter has someone with experience prepared to develop it, but the team are keen to ensure every security business in the UK can be involved in its conception.
These commitments are already agreed by Corps at Board level. The team are now looking to the wider industry to engage and get involved.
Watch the event:
You can view the entire event, as recorded live on the Corps Security LinkedIn page or on the Corps Security YouTube channel.
How to get involved:
If you would like to discuss the signposting cards, have new ideas, would like to receive the current continuum or are keen to be involved in the development of the covenant, please contact:
