Mental health absences among West Midlands Fire service staff reflects 'national crisis' - union claims
Staff absences due to mental health in the West Midlands Fire and Rescue Service (WMFRS) and other services across the UK has declared a "crisis" by the Fire Brigades Union.
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Data obtained by specialist 24-helpline service Accident Claims Advice (ACA) via a Freedom of Information Request to the service has found that anxiety, stress, depression and PTSD were the most common conditions cited for staff mental health absences in the last three years.
Between 2021 and 2024, a total of 583 West Midlands Fire Service staff took at least one day off work due to mental health.
In 2021/22, 185 staff absences were recorded, 80 of which were cited as being due to ‘stress’ while a further 48 were logged as ‘anxiety,’ 23 as ‘depression’ and 12 as ‘work-related stress’ - bearing in mind more than one condition can be cited as the reason for absence.
The following year, 182 WMFRS staff members took time off work due to mental health, with 77 citing ‘stress,’ 35 logged as ‘anxiety,’ 16 for ‘work-related stress’ and a further 15 recorded as ‘fatigue.’
In 2023/24 the figure reached a three-year-high with 216 mental health staff absences recorded - a rise of 17 per cent compared with 2021/22. Of those, 108 were marked as ‘stress’ and well as 44 for ‘anxiety’ and a further 21 for ‘work-related stress.
’‘Depression’ was cited in 15 staff mental health absences along with four described as ‘PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) and nine as ‘fatigue.’
The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) General Secretary, Matt Wrack, told ACA: “We are facing a mental health crisis in the fire and rescue service. Since attending traumatic incidents is an unavoidable part of the job for firefighters, mental health support is vital.”
Secretary Matt Wrack added: “Despite the evidence that firefighters are struggling, fire service mental health provision is patchy across the UK.
“After a decade of cuts to the fire and rescue service, firefighters are being pushed beyond limits to keep the public safe. Responding to life-or-death situations without adequate resources is intensely stressful. To address this mental health crisis, we need central government to provide the investment needed to rebuild the service.”
A spokesperson for West Midlands Fire & Rescue Service said: “Mental health significantly impacts employee wellness, and we are committed to ensuring that all staff members have access to the right resources to promote good mental health. Through our policies and systems, we provide support tailored to individual needs.
“Our physical health support includes routine health assessments, preventative care initiatives, and assistance with work-related injuries or conditions. For mental health, we offer confidential counselling services, mental health awareness programmes, and support strategies."
They added that they are "proud" to offer a range of support services including:
Full and comprehensive in-house Occupational Health Service with access to doctors and counsellors. They offer a range of support including physical, mental and trauma.
Traumatic Event Defusing System: Immediate support from Critical Incident Debrief Officers following challenging or distressing incidents.
Mental Health Advocate Programme: A network of trained advocates providing peer-to-peer support and guidance.
Employee Assistance Programme: Confidential access to professional advice and counselling.
The Fire Fighters Charity: Continued collaboration to ensure long-term support for mental and physical health.
