World Suicide Prevention Day is September 10.
The guarding firm First Response Group (FRG) reports that it has joined the Security Consortium for the Prevention of Suicide (SCPS). It’s holding a conference, titled “Changing the Narrative” in London.
About the Consortium
Founded three years ago, SCPS is a network of security groups and people in the public and private sector working to prevent suicide, with a focus on those working in the security profession which suffers one of the highest percentages of occupational stress. In fact, security is the third highest industry in the UK impacted by suicide, according to research by the Consortium for the Prevention of Suicide.
Barry Dawson, who joined FRG as its group managing director earlier this year, says he strongly supports FRG’s commitment to working alongside others in the security sector to reduce the causes of suicide through sector-wide collaboration. He said: “I have been in this industry a long time, 35 years in fact, and have long been aware of the problem faced by many security officers in dealing with stress associated with rigours many of them face daily in protecting people and assets. The SCPS is an excellent platform for educating and sharing knowledge. In my view, every security company needs to get behind this.”
According to research led by Dr Risto Talas and Mark Button, professor of criminology in the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice at the University of Portsmouth, some 40 per cent of security officers display some symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
On his findings, released in 2020, Professor Button said: “The research has revealed a worrying lack of support provided by the security companies. This must change and more research is required on what the security industry as a whole must do to address this issue before it becomes a larger societal issue, with added pressure on the limited mental health and wellbeing services provided by the NHS.”
The consortium is guided by a panel that includes representatives from the National Police Chiefs Council’s Suicide Prevention Group, City of London Police, the Worshipful Company of Security Professionals (WCoSP) and the Samaritans.
CEO of FRG Simon Alderson, pictured, said: “Many security professionals will struggle with mental health problems. It’s crucial that the industry grasps this and puts in place the measures to identify all the warning signs and prevent avoidable personal tragedy.
“It is also important to recognise that Security officers are often first responders when someone is in crisis, including those at risk of suicide. Ensuring security professionals have the right tools and training empowers them to respond effectively and ultimately contribute to safer, more effective outcomes in crisis situations.”
About FRG
Based in Leeds, the guarding company employs a workforce of some 2,000 and is a member of the ACS Pacesetters group of highest-scoring Security Industry Authority (SIA) approved contractors.
Samaritans
Suicide rates at their highest in over 20 years, this should be treated as a public health crisis, Jacqui Morrissey, Assistant Director of Influencing at the charity Samaritans said last month, commenting on ONS data. Suicide is preventable, the said, ‘but not without real action’ from Government on prevention.
