NHS Lothian Lifelines Scotland Project

That the Parliament welcomes the launch of a purpose-built resource to help promote and support positive mental health among Scotland’s emergency responders in Lothian; understands that the Lifelines Scotland project was established in 2016 by NHS Lothian’s specialist trauma service, the Rivers Centre, to promote resilience and wellbeing for volunteer emergency responders; further understands that, in 2019, the initiative received funding that enabled it to expand its remit to also include non-voluntary emergency responders, and to develop a purpose-built web resource that is accessible to all; notes that the launch of the new Lifelines website brings together a range of tools and resources to help support the mental health of current and retired emergency responders, as well as information for responders’ family and friends, including an online Staying Well Road Trip across Scotland; acknowledges that emergency responders are at increased risk of psychological injury and that stigma often stops people from accessing help; applauds the efforts of NHS Lothian, Police Scotland, Scottish Ambulance Service, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and the Fire Fighters Charity to establish this important resource, and hopes that it will provide vital mental health support to first responders and their loved ones.