PTSD Resolution, a charity providing free trauma therapy to armed forces’ veterans, reservists and their families, has introduced a Trauma Awareness Training for Employers (TATE) workshop for the security sector. Assist Security Group (ASG) is the first company to take part in the programme.
PTSD Resolution works with industry partners, including ASIS UK, the Security Institute, the Worshipful Company of Security Professionals (WCoSP), and the City Security Council, to provide free mental health support for the veterans working in the industry. The charity has provided therapy to a total of over 4,000 armed forces’ veterans, through some 200 therapists across the UK.
Colonel Tony Gauvain (Retired), Chairman of PTSD Resolution, said: “Security professionals, including forcesโ veterans, often face high-stress situations that can lead to trauma. Our TATE workshop equips companies with the tools to recognise and address trauma-related issues at an early stage, ensuring a healthier work environment and improving overall operational effectiveness.”
Some 40 per cent of security officers show symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), according to a 2020 University of Portsmouth study, the largest of its kind. This statistic underscores the need for trauma awareness and support within the sector, says Colonel Gauvain.
Retail in particular has seen a sharp increase in reported violence and theft, as the trade union Usdaw, industry bodies such as the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and Association of Convenience Stores and others have pointed out.
TATE workshops, available in-person and online, range from two-hour interactive sessions to a dayโs training. They are for managers and HR staff to recognise potential signs of trauma, understand its mechanisms, develop company-wide strategies, and build resilience.
Troy Hewitt, CEO of ASG, pictured, said: โTATE aligns with our commitment to employee wellbeing and operational excellence. This training will further boost our ability to support our team members and our clients, operating in a range of environments – from luxury retail and hotel venues to major entertainment and hospital locations.”
Advice for employers
Malcolm Hanson, Clinical Director at PTSD Resolution, has this advice for security employers:
1. Recognition of symptoms: employers and managers should keep an eye on the behaviour of staff who may have experienced trauma. Changes in a security officer’s behaviour following a security incident may be a sign that they need help.
2. Communication: create a company culture that is “responsible, not macho.” After an incident, managers should let staff know that the company is aware of what they’ve been through and that the policy is to be open about stress reactions.
3. Intervention: If a security officer doesn’t seem to be returning to their normal attitudes and demeanour after a few weeks following a traumatic event, it’s important to open a dialogue about whether and how they would like to be helped to recover.
4. Help: develop a relationship with an organisation like PTSD Resolution that has experience with post-traumatic reactions and can deliver brief interventions to help employees return to work.
Hanson emphasises that the cost of a typical course of therapy should be much less than the expense of supporting an unwell staff member long-term or dealing with the potential consequences of an employee working while traumatised.
If you want to donate to support the work of PTSD Resolution in helping forcesโ veterans, donations are doubled when made during the Big Give week, from December 3 to 10. Visit www.PTSDresolution.org.
