Rise in firefighters hit by mental health issues


The number of firefighters taking long-term sick leave due to mental illness has risen by nearly a third over the last six years, figures show. In London, the figure has doubled since 2011-12.


Some 103 London fire staff have taken mental health leave this year, some after working at the Grenfell Tower disaster. 


Two-thirds of fire services provided data following a Freedom of Information request submitted by BBC Radio’s 5 live Investigates.


The responses reveal the number of firefighters and other staff taking long-term mental health leave rose from 600 to 780 over the last six years. And at least 126 staff have left the service due to mental health issues since 2011.


Sean Starbuck, mental health lead for the FBU firefighters’ union, said: "The stigma attached to mental health needs to be consigned to the bins of history where it belongs. It's not going to get there on its own. 


"Fire services need to create an environment where firefighters feel able to disclose if they are suffering as a result of traumatic scenes they witness as part of the job. At the moment it appears many are unable to."


www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-41164996