Gender specfic mental health

Conference is disappointed at the lack of support our women Members are receiving in respect of ill mental health in the UK Fire and Rescue Service. Conference will note last year’s resolution on ill mental health which asked for guidance to be produced from the FBU and for our Fire and Rescue Services to be encouraged to support our Members. Many services remain poorly informed with managers ill-equipped to identify or deal with issues of ill mental health. Often Members are made to feel that they must suffer in silence, rather than speak up, leaving them isolated and vulnerable.

Members feel that they are seen as being weak or troublesome if they admit to having ill mental health or asking for help. Women in these circumstances are often labelled as dramatic or emotional, rather than being taken seriously and offered the correct support. Women may also experience different symptoms possibly connected to menopause. Ill mental health, when associated with other health needs, can be complex and diffi cult to diagnose.

Conference therefore ask that the Executive Council includes in the best practice document requested in last year’s resolution on ill mental health, gender specifi c guidance. This information is to be made available to all Fire and Rescue Services to raise awareness and understanding of ill mental health problems including recognising signs and symptoms. This is to ensure our Members are supported. We ask that this work is started immediately and is integrated into the ongoing work on ill mental health the FBU is currently involved in.