PTSD Resolution and ASIS UK partner in support of mental health

ASIS UK, which is the UK Chapter of the world’s largest professional association for security management practitioners, has appointed PTSD Resolution as its nominated charity for 2024. This collaboration will see the two organisations working together to raise awareness of the disturbingly high rates of anxiety, depression and suicidal tendencies exhibited among security staff.

According to a 2020 study conducted by the University of Portsmouth – the largest survey carried out on this topic to date, in fact – 40% of the 750 UK security officers surveyed exhibited symptoms aligned to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Over 64% reported experiencing verbal abuse at least once every month when on duty, while 46% had been subjected to physical attacks, beatings or muggings during their careers.

PTSD Resolution was founded back in 2009 to provide free mental health support for Armed Forces’ veterans, reservists and their families. The charity is accredited by the Royal College of Psychiatrists to the Quality Network for Veterans Mental Health Services. It has had over 4,000 referrals to date and delivers therapy in an average of seven sessions until that point at which the client and therapist agree no further therapy is necessary.

Residual issues

Patrick Rea, campaign director for PTSD Resolution, explaind: “As a charity, we are increasingly engaged with the security industry due to the number of veterans taking up a career in the sector. There can sometimes be residual mental health issues from trauma experienced during military service or new problems in current security roles. This is where we can help.”

Having forged a successful partnership with ASIS UK since 2021, the charity will now develop awareness and provide training for employers, line managers and other personnel, helping them to identify and respond to mental health issues and make therapy available to ASIS UK’s 800-plus members.

Letitia Emeana, chair of ASIS UK’s Board of Directors, observed: “The expertise offered by PTSD Resolution will provide great value to our members. Through this partnership, we hope to not only directly support those in need, but also drive a culture shift both across the security sector and more widely, in turn encouraging security staff at all levels to be more open about their mental health without fear of stigma.”

Accepted norm

Both partners have emphasised that, while security roles come with inevitable stresses, a high incidence of PTSD and trauma-related issues should never be an accepted norm.

To this end, the partnership signifies a zero tolerance approach towards any lack of mental health provision, aiming to build psychologically safer, supportive and more resilient security teams right across the country.

*Further information is available online at www.ptsdresolution.org