This week (14-20 May) Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service are taking part in Mental Health Awareness Week which is being hosted by the Mental Health Foundation. We have a range of activities taking place and these will be brought to you everyday this week via this blog.
One of the things we will be doing as a Service is taking part in the #OurBlueLight mental health torch relay. Our Blue Light is in association with the MIND Blue Light Programme which promotes the physical and mental wellbeing of persons working for the emergency services. The torch relay will be cycled to all 39 of our stations this week including our Headquarters and Training Centre which covers over 200 miles! Keep an eye on our progress on facebook and twitter this week.
Today is the launch of our torch relay which is starting at Blackburn Community Fire Station and will travel around the Eastern area of Lancashire to stations at Darwen, Hyndburn, Great Harwood, Longridge and Clitheroe.
There are a number of organisations that offer support in the Blackburn and Darwen areas for anyone that feels they need someone to talk to. Women 4 Women is a project that provides regular activity sessions for women from Black and minority ethnic (BME) communities as a way to explore mental health problems in a positive and sensitive environment.
In addition Facing Up is a project aimed at trying to get men talking as males are typically less likely to talk about their problems than women. Facing Up gives men in Blackburn with Darwen the time and tools to get back on track. It gives men the chance to meet up, offload and share tips and tools to boost their mental wellbeing via Offload Groups.
Facing Up is currently supporting the men of Blackburn with Darwen and has reached out to over 1,000 individuals.
The articles this week will touch on a range of topics and if you feel like you need any support or need to talk about your mental health you can contact either MIND or MIND Lancashire.
