Mental Health and Well-being: Impact of Work Pressure on Emergency Responders

This article discusses the impact of work pressure on the mental health and well-being of emergency responders. It includes a case scenario, sections on the relation of mental illness with physical illness, social and psychological factors, the model of PERMA, benefits of early intervention, and social media strategies to cope with stress. The article suggests interventions such as balancing work stress, communication therapy, behavioral therapy, and cognitive therapy. Course code and college/university not mentioned.

Unit 2 Mental Health
and Well-being

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
Case scenario..........................................................................................................................3
Section 1.................................................................................................................................3
Section 2.................................................................................................................................6
Section 3.................................................................................................................................7
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................9
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................11

INTRODUCTION
Mental health can be affect by factors such as work pressure. In order to overcome, the
recommended suggestion that can be concluded as balancing work life pressure. It has been
impact their mental health negatively(Alqahtani, Winn, and Orji, 2021). Also in addition to this,
it is interlinked with adverse affects on the well-being of individuals and also physical health of
people. There are multiple reasons that can affect an individuals. These reasons can be either
external or internal or sometimes it can be affected by both factors. In recent days, work pressure
has been considered most effective factor, which is impacting negative influence on the physical
and mental health of individuals.
Case scenario
As per the times it has been determined that people who are working in fire services
encountered daily mental stress. Almost 1 in 10 officers and support staff in Greater Manchester
Police force accessed mental health services following Manchester Arena bombing in 2017 with
12 officers and staff being diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PSTD). Such
incidents such as catastrophic Greenfield Tower fire in 2017 that can bring concerning challenge
and can be dangerous job. Also, as per the survey it has been found that nurses who are dealing
with corona virus are termed to be mentally stressed. As per the survey, 3500 nurses found to be
effected by the effect of mental hazards. Mental as well as well as physical health of an
individual are essentially interlinked with others. As there are multiple institutions along with
intellectual fitness-chance
Section 1
Relation of mental illness with physical illness
According to multiple studies it has been considered that health is a factor which consist
physical, mental and social health of individuals. It can affected by number of factors which are
characterized into external and internal (The Importance of Psychological and Social Factors in
Influencing the Uptake and Maintenance of Physical Activity after Stroke: A Structured Review
of the Empirical Literature, 2012). The internal factors are depression, anxiety, low-esteem, low-
motivation and others. Whereas, external factors that can be explored as work pressure, work
related trauma and others. In the filed of police department (Baxter and et. al., 2019). It has
termed to be most challenging job, as an individual might encounter number of incidents which

can traumatize them. There are common symptoms which state that common symptoms include
nightmares, aggression and distressing flashbacks of traumatic incidents that can lead individual
to lead with complicated disorders such as PTSD.
According to the WHO it has been determined that an individual cannot be called
physically fit, if he or she is not mentally fit (The Importance of Psychological and Social
Factors in Influencing the Uptake and Maintenance of Physical Activity after Stroke: A
Structured Review of the Empirical Literature, 2012). On the other hand, mental illness can
promote chronic diseases such as depression, diabetes, cancer, asthma, diseases which are
correlated heart diseases as well as arthritis. Poor mental health is also interlinked with
schizophrenia. In UK, the rate of ,mortality rate from the heart related diseases and from cancer
is termed to be higher within people who are with depression or any other mental distress (De
Kock and et. al., 2021)
As per the research, which is called as Buffalo Cardio-Metabolic Occupational Police
Stress (BCOPS) study, which was conducted on police officers, it has been determined that many
people were suffering from mental trauma, high cholesterol and so on (Psychological factors
related to physical, social, and mental dimensions of the SF-36: a population-based study of
middle-aged women and men, 2010). And also, found that policing field is a interlinked with
psychologically stressful work atmosphere which is filled with danger, high demands , ambiguity
in work encounters as well as individual's misery (Alqahtani, Winn, and Orji, 2021). It has also
found that mental distress was the major castors that has been disturbing them from period of
time. It has affected their well being and also have promoted a list of mental distress.
Social factors and Physiological factors
The social factors are defined as the factors which are affecting an individual's lifestyle. It
has been determined that core relationship between psychological factors and the physical body
are considered to influence by social factors (Glazzard and Rose, 2019). These factors can be
considered as wealth, religion, habitats of an individual, range of education and so on. According
the report, it has been reported that the pressure of low enforcement can lead officers high blood
pressure, insomnia, fosters the levels of destructive stress, hormones and so on (Social-
psychological factors affecting help-seeking for emotional problems, 1994). In this considered
case. The social factors that affected individuals that can be mental trauma, exposure of fire
incidents on frequent basis, work related stress and fear. As per the studies, these factors can

affect an individual's sleep pattern, eating habitats, low-esteem etc (Gascon and et. al., 2017).
The psychological factors are defined as the factors that have affected an individual's intellectual
abilities. In which number of factors that can affect an individual psychological health, which
can lead to promote mental distress in individuals. In the case, the psychological factors that
have affected mental state of officers that are exposure of fire incidents and frequent traumatic
incidents. These factors are co-associated with mental disorders.
THE MODEL OF PERMA
The model of PERMA is also well known as theory of well-being (Hennegan, Henderson
and Redshaw, 2018). In order to understand the theory of PERMA it is mandatory to understand
the meaning of concept. It is considered as Seligman's PERMA model as well, in which P is
meant for Positive Emotion, E is for engagement, R meant for Positive Relationship, M is for
meaning and A is for Accomplishment or achievements. The model was introduced by Abraham
Ma-slow in 1962, as he was one of first in the field of psychology who highlighted topics such as
well-being along with his characteristics in regards with self-actualization that has also
foreshadowing of the model PERMA, that can also highlight the characteristics of a enhancing as
well as flourishing person and well-being theory ( WBT) (Seligman’s PERMA+ Model
Explained: A Theory of Well being, 2021).
Furthermore, it was used by Dr. Martin Seligman for addressing and shifting the focus
from mental illness and pathology to study the life's good and bad aspects. From this point in
time, the considered theories studies the fundamental aspects of positive psychology
interventions that can facilitate individual to make their worth of living and also how to define,
quantify and also develop well-being. According to the studies it has been determined that it has
been embedded along with five major elements or it can be called as components which have
represented affirmative associations within each of the PERMA elements as well as physical
health, vitality, job satisfaction levels and commitment with organisations (Seligman’s PERMA+
Model Explained: A Theory of Wellbeing, 2021).
This model can be used to predict the psychological distress, and it also mean proactively
working on the elements of PERMA which has not only incline the aspects of well-being but
also reduce most concerning elements that is psychological distress. Positive emotion includes
hope, interest, pride, amusements and also gratitude. It is much more than a mere of happiness
(Seligman’s PERMA+ Model Explained: A Theory of Wellbeing, 2021). This model is the

primary indicators of positive outcomes. This model termed to facilitate in this considered case.
It can help to underpins the positive outcomes by evaluating each aspects of mental distress
which are being encountered by officers. It can help individuals to overcome from frequent
mental trauma which they are dealing and can also reduce factors which are promoting mental
disorders such as PSTD. It can suggest interventions such as balancing work stress that can help
officers to reduce associated risk factors.
Section 2
As per the report, the early signs of stress can be identified as headache, frustration,
irritation, upset stomach, low-esteem, isolation, complex pain at joints, aches in shoulder, neck,
feeling heavy in chest and others. . Sometimes an individual might also feel trembling, excess of
sweating, a heavy feeling in the individual's chest, difficulties, and also increased heart rate and
also issues in digestion(Hennegan, Henderson and Redshaw, 2018). Whereas, stress is a factor
that can harm an individual emotionally and physical. The emotional affecting factors of stress
that can be determined as feeling anxious, all so just in general in regards with specific concern
such as finances or work. In some cases, it has been also found that an individual might suffer
with panic attacks, complicated and severe attacks of anxiety as well as fear that has been occur
suddenly. Also, the emotional signs that can include depression, lack of concentration, irritability
as well as numerous mood episodes. In order to address the early signs, an individual
recommanded to communicate with their seniors in respect to their issues, and should go to
doctor, as early stress sign can lead an individual to serious and complicated mental illness. An
individual should also suggest to make a positive change and should also make time for their-
selves, in which they can spend a quality of time in pampering their selves, that can individual to
ease their stress levels.
Benefits of Early Intervention on emergency responders mental health
The early interventions is a considered as the procedure of providing a specialist
intervention as well as support to an individuals who are facing and demonstrating any kind of
early signs and symptoms of mental illness. There are number of resources which might help in
addressing early sings of mental illness (Kotera, and Ting, 2021). The national depression
initiatives, beyond offers a range of publications and also other resources in order to help
individuals to address their issues which are in regard with mental illness at workplace. There
are multiple benefits that has been determined in early interventions as it can provide a

competency alert to people who are dealing with mental distress. It has been determined that it
can help in prevention and control of problem and can halt them to become serious
complications.
As per the recent theoretical formulations in regards with trauma and PTSD that can be
emphasised the significance of early intervention and also the interpretation of reactions, signs
and symptoms and also other individual's responded that are following traumatic events. The
report suggest the influential cognitive theory which describes that the persistent PSTD occurs
when an individual process the traumatic events in number of ways that can promote to a sense
of being under constant threat. As this sense of threat can be originates form negative influence
of the trauma as well as its disturbing events for an individual. The early intervention suggest the
interventions that can help them to cope with PTSD(Lattie and et. al., 2019). It can be addressed
by the therapies such as communication therapy, behavioural therapy and also cognitive therapy,
that can help an individual to rely on the reality and can be able to minimize adverse affects on
mental trauma.
Section 3
Social media strategy to cope with stress
The social media can be used in coping of stress, as it can help to actively adapt
individual's thought and also behaviour which can be beneficial for an individual to face the
problems in the current crisis(Lee, 2020). As it can help to provide as moral support which can
assist individual to distract their mind from field events. The social media strategy that can be
used by officers that they can spare their time and can use social media platforms that help them
to ease their stress (Emergency Responders: Tips for taking care of yourself, 2020). They can
also have exposure of entertainment videos and movies after their work shifts, which can hep
them to ease their distress which occurred.
Also it has been determined, in managing stress, the social media strategy plays an
essential role in making them connected with their family and loved ones. As it can help in
presenting work stress. These social media intervention also provides endless opportunities to an
individual to express themselves and can also communicate, share their views and also their
opinions in respect to their feelings. As per the studies, it has been determined that social media
strategy can provide ideas of experiments that can help them to review and observe who they can
spend their time with their-selves(Musonda, Matafwali, and Makasa, 2020). As an emergency

service providers, it has been recommended to use intervention and also coping techniques such
as taking breaks, eating healthy diet, physical activities and also by the use of buddy system
which can help them to manage their mental distress.
As per the studies, the study have shown there are found to be effective results of buddy
system in the management of stress (Emergency Responders: Tips for taking care of yourself,
2020). In the process of buddy system, there are two responders together who provide support to
each others and also monitor their each other's stress factors, workload and pressure as well as
individual's safety. It has also determined that responsibilities of emergency responders are also
considered to be provide a better understanding to officers in respect to burnout and secondary
traumatic stress.
The buddy system can be beneficial to establish the reliance non each other. As it can
also provide motioning qualities to each other that can help both persons to know in regards with
their buddy's mental health. As it can also provide to set a time for each other, and each one of
them should be a good listeners so that they can address issues of their friends. As it can provide
opportunities to share their experiences and also their feelings. (Emergency Responders: Tips for
taking care of yourself, 2020)It can also help to them knowledge their tough situations. In this
system, the both participants are also allowed to provide basic help to each other that can be
sharing supplies an others. By monitoring their work pressure and they can also encourage them
to take break and share ample of opportunities to stress relief such as rest, routine, sleep,
excessive as well as deep breathing (Phillips and et. al., 2018)
Similarly, in this case, an emergency service workers should respondents with use of
effective interventions which is buddy system. As it can help an individual to have companion
who can provide a moral support to overcome with work related stress. It can help them to take
take breaks, will be helpful to monitor and also to address their stress as well. By the number of
research, it has been concluded that WHO has established the policy which is in regards with
maintaining healthy workplace.(Emergency Responders: Tips for taking care of yourself, 2020)
In which the essential factors and elements of attaining a healthy workplace is the termed to be
development of government legislation, number of strategies as well as polices, which are
highlighted by the European Union Compass work within area. (Piehand et. al., 2021) Other tips
that can be recommended to an individual are exposure of yoga as well as meditation that can

help an individual to manage their work related stress in a effective manner (Emergency
Responders: Tips for taking care of yourself, 2020).
CONCLUSION
Overall, it has been concluded that policing is associated with exposure of incidents that
can promote them to deal issues, in regards with their overall health i.e. physical, emotional,
mental and social. The study found that there are interlinks within physical health and mental
health of an individual. The physical health of a person can be affected by external factors such
as traumatized events such as fire accidents, which can promote number of risk associated
diseases. The social factors of an individual are considered to be factors such as wealth,
individual's life choices and others. Whereas, psychological factors that are determined to be the
factors that can affect an individual's psychological aspects. In psychological field, the effective
model that has been used to provide positive outcomes is model PERMA. The model PERMA is
also considered to be model of well-being as well. The early signs that can be identified due to
mental distress which are concluded as frustration, irritation headache and so on. As in this stage,
it has been recommended that early interventions are effective intervention. The early
intervention of mental illness can provide interventions that can help an individual to cope up
with their mental distress, before it turn out to be poor.
Action plan
Tips Current
Proficiency
Desired
proficiency
Actions Time
Stress-
management
Exposure of yoga
and meditations
5
8
10
10
Learning should
be provided to
them in order to
manage their
work related
stress.
They should have
also exposure
5 months

activities such as
yoga, meditation
that can help them
minimize their
mental distress.
9 months
Frequent Social
gathering with
other officers.
Frequent fun folic
activities to ease
the stress
2
1
10
10
Social gathering
should include
activities that can
help them to
lower down their
mental stress
which has been
attained from
filed work.
Activities should
be conducted
which can help
individuals to
communicate
with each and
also can distract
themselves from
traumatized
incidents
5 months
10 months

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