Summary
Please don’t underestimate the importance of your mental wellbeing.
Although we are volunteers Mountain Rescue is no different to any other emergency service; when the pager goes we walk towards distress, suffering and tragedy. Sometimes that involves extreme trauma and gore. And sometimes, although we train very hard to avoid it, danger.
This places all of us at a much higher risk of suffering some form mental distress and it can manifest itself in a great many different ways. We are all different.
Please remember, especially for the younger team mates, that “Once you see, hear or smell something then that memory cannot be undone”. So the first way to protect yourself is to remember that you are indeed a volunteer and nobody will ever think the worse of you if choose to help in another way or at some other time.
Mental trauma needn’t be caused by a single large event. It can accumulate like drips filling a bucket and then, one day, the bucket overflows with a variety of symptoms.
We may experience a traumatic incident and believe that we’ve successfully handled it and, that it hasn’t affected us. Then, 5, 10 or 25 years down the line something triggers a reminder and we fall apart. In those circumstances it can be difficult to know that the delayed symptoms hitting us now were caused a long time ago. It’s a bit like a World War II unexploded bomb being kicked into life by the clunk of a garden spade while digging your spuds!
Symptoms
There are two useful leaflets available one from the NHS and one from the British Psychological Society (Links at the bottom of this page). They provide an excellent summary of what to keep your eyes open for. Some people, myself included, can be in denial that these symptoms are happening and leave it far too long to seek help. Please try not to fall into the same trap and talk to someone as soon as possible.
Where to Find Help
First and foremost have a cup of tea and a chat with a friend, your partner or someone that you trust.
Talk to a team mate. Many of us have been through an experience and will happily listen with a sympathetic and understanding ear. Find someone in the team who you feel comfortable to approach.
Professional help. As well as talking to your GP a list of useful alternative web links to find help will follow at the base of this page.
Please be aware that LAMRT are very understanding and supportive of your mental health and the committee has agreed to pay for you to have free access to private mental health care. You can make an appointment to see Cumbria Stress and Trauma Centre and they will submit a redacted and totally anonymous invoice. If you make an appointment then please inform them that you are a member of LAMRT and present your valid team membership card when you visit. Your anonymity is crucial and will be protected.
Their contact details are here: https://www.cumbriastressandtraumacentre.co.uk/
Courses and Links to help you manage stress
Prevention is better than cure so there is a useful course on how to handle stress in challenging circumstances.
Human Factors / Peak Performance Under Pressure Course. Please log onto the MREW training site and a data sheet attached below. Please check with our training officer for approval before applying.
Links
https://www.corecognitioncourses.co.uk/courses/performance-under-pressure
PTSD Symptoms Link https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/conditions/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd/symptoms/
NHS Self-Help Guides to Stress: https://web.ntw.nhs.uk/selfhelp/
Every Life Matters – Support Directory: https://www.every-life-matters.org.uk/get-help/
Blue Light Mind Programme: https://www.mind.org.uk/news-campaigns/campaigns/blue-light-programme/
Mind: https://www.mind.org.uk/
NHS First Step South Cumbria: https://www.lscft.nhs.uk/first-step
Remember that “It’s good to talk”