Corps Security prepares to host vital ‘Mental Health in Security’ event

The Corps Security team have partnered with the team from Security Minds Matter team, Combat Stress (the leading UK charity supporting veterans’ mental health) and influential specialists to address the stigma surrounding mental health and well-being in the security sector.

This special event, which takes place on Thursday 18 May, aims to bring together senior managers and leaders from all over the security sector to discuss ideas, share experiences and, more importantly perhaps, commit to pledges to break the stigma together.

Andy Topp, sales and marketing director at Corps Security, said: “It’s vital that we address this issue as a sector. We all have a role to play in supporting security officers, and in particular front line workers who can be directly impacted by mental health issues.”

High percentage

Research has shown that mental health impacts a high percentage of security professionals. According to a University of Portsmouth study, 40% of security officers surveyed have displayed symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Further to this, research undertaken by the Consortium for the Prevention of Suicide suggests that security officers are the third highest group of industry professionals impacted by suicide. That’s a shocking discovery.

While the security industry has made great strides to improve support for officers, all the while showing initiative and an understanding of the delicacy of this issue, Corps Security believes that mental health and well-being requires companies to put their differences to one side and address the matter head-on.

“This event is about addressing these awful statistics as a collective industry,” observed Topp. “Security companies and FM solution providers heavily invested in security should be part of this event. We need to address the stigma around mental health and make promises to officers that we will reduce the impact, improve their well-being and, ultimately, help to save lives.”

Leading experts

Leading experts are underpinning the event to educate and inform. They include the lead research occupational therapist from Combat Stress and Mike Hurst (head of the UK Advisory Board of the International Foundation for Protection Officers and a leading protagonist of the Security Minds Matter campaign).

The event will be introduced by Corps Security’s CEO Mike Bullock and finish with a Q&A-style panel session wherein members of the assembled audience will be encouraged to commit to new pledges.

‘Mental Health: Security’s Invisible Enemy’ takes place at the In and Out Club, 4 St James’s Square, London SW1Y 4JU from 2.00 pm on Thursday 18 May. Tickets are free of charge and available to critical decision-makers across the security sector.

Tickets are limited to a total of 100 places. Early booking is essential to avoid disappointment.

Interested parties can register online at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/mental-health-securitys-invisible-enemy-tickets-620749688027