The 10th of October is World Mental Health Day and while it’s important to think about your own health and wellbeing, frontline workers provide care often at the expense of their own mental health. With research from the Laura Hyde Foundation (LHF) showing that the number of frontline workers seeking help with potentially suicidal thoughts has increased by over 70%, now is the time for more than a pat on the back and a round of applause - frontline workers need urgent support. 

The LHF, set up in memory of Navy nurse Laura Hyde, has found that more than 220 nurses attempted to end their lives during the first year of Covid in 2020. The disturbing statistics compiled by the UK's leading mental health charity for emergency service workers shows rising numbers of nurses, doctors, paramedics, midwives, police officers and firefighters seeking help. 

In a bid to raise awareness of the mounting mental health crisis, the charity has collaborated on a video which shines a light on the issue. The video titled, ‘The Feelings’ brings to life the serious difficulties that medical and emergency workers face, and how this can affect them day-to-day if they don’t seek support. 

The film features different characters representing the emotions and feelings that healthcare workers feel. From ‘rising dread’ to ‘red rage’, and ‘powerless’ the film depicts the struggle of balancing emotionally draining work.

The Laura Hyde Foundation collaborated with the creative agency McCann Health and production company Jelly to make the film. By anonymously characterising the feelings, LHF hopes it will help people to recognise the warning signs of mental health issues and seek support. 

“While the issues raised will be familiar to many of us, emergency workers in particular have been profoundly impacted in recent years. We are hugely proud of this campaign, which encourages our caregivers to articulate and speak about their feelings in the hope that precious lives are not lost.” explained Charlie Sells, Founder and Creative Director of Jelly. 

In the first half of 2022, 946 contacted the Laura Hyde Foundation for support linked to suicidal thoughts. The charity has expressed concern that mental health issues could become even more heightened with the cost of living crisis adding further strain on the aftermath of the pandemic.

With services overstretched, the charity is issuing an appeal to the Prime Minister, Liz Truss and Health Secretary Therese Coffey to take action when it comes to mental health and provide better support. 

“Our healthcare and emergency services are still facing a pandemic. This time however it isn’t Covid-19, it is the state of mental health and wellbeing of the workforce.” says Liam Barnes, Chairman of the Laura Hyde Foundation, who added:  “We are yet to see the true effects of burnout, PTSD and many more conditions as a result of this testing time.”

He continued: “It’s critically important that the new Prime Minister and her new Health Secretary put providing mental health support to emergency workers at the very top of their agenda. Sadly, the topic of mental health specifically for healthcare workers remains riddled with stigma. This simply has to end."

Where frontline workers have given so much of their lives to look after others, now is the time to give back and ensure they have the resources and support to continue their work without sacrificing their wellbeing.