The Laura Hyde Foundation

The Laura Hyde Foundation are the UK’s leading charity dedicated to providing mental health support for our emergency services. Roles covered include nurses, Doctors, GP’s, paramedics, midwives, HCA’s, fire, police and care workers. Setup in 2018 following the suicide of nurse Laura Hyde, the charity has grown to a truly national level charity with representation in over 98% of hospitals across the UK.

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Our work in suicide prevention

As an independent charity, we are uniquely positioned to engage this audience through targeted communications, resources, and meaningful discussions. Our support focuses on three key areas: delivering over 100 hours of mental health practitioner-level support at specific locations through our free independent service, offering free clinical consultancy to NHS wellbeing leads and senior management, and providing funding through the Laura Hyde Foundation’s grant-making policy to enhance and promote wellbeing initiatives.

We are launching a suicide-focused campaign titled “This is an Emergency” to provide critical support to emergency services personnel, addressing the often-taboo subject of mental health. Many within this audience face significant stigma surrounding mental health, driven by fears of letting others down or risking their jobs. The reality is that emergency services workers are an extremely vulnerable group, facing a substantially higher risk of mental health challenges and suicide, making increased support essential.

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Our current priorities


Our priorities focus on four key areas to improve mental health and wellbeing. 

Proactive Support & Intervention aims to implement preventative strategies across NHS Trusts and workplaces, including appointing mental health champions and embedding wellbeing criteria in trust inspections. 

Education & Awareness focuses on creating a mental health syllabus, training middle management, and raising public awareness of challenges faced by frontline staff, fostering open dialogue to reduce stigma. 

Data & Action seeks to improve data collection on sickness absence and suicide, using insights to inform strategies and policies through collaboration with national groups. 

Support for Students and Early Career Professionals addresses the unique needs of those impacted by the pandemic, establishing peer support networks, mentoring, and promoting best practices to build a strong foundation for mental wellbeing.

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Our current challenges

An ability to understand the data behind mental health issues and the very real issue of red tape and bureaucracy that stifles public sector support.

We believe being part of this shared community that shares different values will allow us to be more effective in our mission statement.

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