The Channel Islands Air Search is calling for more people to reach out for mental health support before reaching a crisis point.
The voluntary organisation, which helps search for missing persons, says two in five of its deployments over the past five years have been for mental-health related reasons.
It has joined forces with Guernsey Mind and Mind Jersey to launch “We See You”, a mental health awareness initiative aimed at building awareness and breaking stigma across the islands.
Channel Islands Air Search operations head Nick Griffin said people are often unaware of the role the organisation plays and “associate Channel Islands Air search with yachts in distress, persons overboard”.
He said emergency services are often the last line of support, and prevention and awareness can help reduce the need for searches and ultimately save lives.
The campaign aims to normalise conversations around mental health, and encourage people to check in on one another, and know where to turn for help to avoid reaching crisis point.
Griffin said people who are struggling with their mental health “don’t have to face it alone”, and added reaching out to people who are ready to listen “can be the first step” towards getting the support they need.
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