North East fire service responds to more than 100 people in distress in six months

A firefighter has called on the region to look out for each other after revealing the service were called to help more than 100 people in distress – in just six months.

Tommy Richardson is the mental health lead at Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) and has made the plea as part of World Mental Health Day.

Firefighters at the service are among the first responders to reports of people in crisis on a bridge or on the cliff edge.

For those who do fall into the water, it is the TWFRS boat that rushes to their aid and rescues them from the river or sea.

They work closely with Northumbria Police, and the region’s mental health leads, to then help ensure those individuals get the support they need.

And as the world promotes World Mental Health Day today (10 October), TWFRS have revealed they have been called to 117 incidents of people in distress across the region.

FF Richardson, who has also helped launched a life-saving throwline programme, has called on the region to look out for friends, family and neighbours.

Since 2017, TWFRS have been working closely with the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RLNI) on the Community Responder Throwline Programme.

The life-saving joint scheme saw TWFRS work together with both the RNLI and Northumbria Police to deliver throwline training to riverside businesses.

It was launched in response to a steady increase in the number of individuals who found themselves in trouble in the water.

If you're struggling with your mental health or you're concerned about a friend, family member or neighbour, you can find a list of mental health services from across the region and their contact numbers here.