Scots cops prescribed paddle-boarding by NHS to treat job stress and mental health

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Scots cops are being prescribed paddle-boarding by NHS to treat their job stress. Police Scotland is being offered water sports sessions to boost their mental health and help cope with pressure.

The ‘blue health’, which also includes kayaking, is aiming to improve staff wellbeing across the force. The classes are being undertaken in conjunction with the NHS as part of their duties.

After a successful pilot project in the Highlands, the wellbeing activities have been given the green light to be rolled-out across the country, The Mail on Sunday report.

Speaking about the mental health drive in his annual report NHS Highland’s director of public health Dr Tim Allison said: "Paddlewell is an innovative pilot to support Police Scotland Highland and Islands Division officers in their journey towards better wellbeing and managing day-to-day stresses and strains through the water-based activities of paddle-boarding and kayaking. "It is an example of 'blue health' which was based on the premise that being in or around water is good for our health and wellbeing."The report said the sessions were designed to ‘explore four mental health strategies including mindfulness and peer support’."The activities enable cops to partner up with a colleague on paddle-boarding and then kayaking activities, with a chance for them to discuss the positive effects of the activities in after class debriefs.It was found those who took part reported increased "contentment in self" and helped them better bond with peers.The report added: "It was clear there was a shift in the participants ’feelings of wellbeing and resilience.Police Scotland said the Paddlewell inititive was inspired by the Devon and Cornwall Surfwell Programme, with English