Each year, Mental Health Awareness Week provides a vital moment for the UK to come together and focus on mental wellbeing. Running from 12th to 18th May 2025, this year’s theme, “Movement: Moving more for our mental health,” carries a timely reminder of the powerful link between physical activity and mental health. At SGS, we wholeheartedly support this initiative and also recognise its alignment with National Walking Month, celebrated throughout May.

May is spring at full speed, with summer just around the corner. Blossom is out, the sun is shining, and there should be an air of joy and optimism. It’s the perfect time to re-energise, reconnect, and take positive steps towards better mental health.

Security officers play an indispensable role in the safety, comfort, and function of buildings across the UK. Often working long hours, sometimes in isolation, they are the life blood of our organisation. But they are also human — individuals with personal challenges and emotional needs. At SGS, we believe that supporting their mental health is not only the right thing to do, it is critical to a healthy, effective workplace.

The Importance of Mental Health Awareness

Mental Health Awareness Week is the UK’s biggest opportunity to talk openly about mental health, tackle stigma, and encourage people to prioritise their emotional wellbeing. For those in security roles, this is especially crucial. Security work can be uniquely challenging: officers are frequently stationed alone, working unsociable hours, and may face incidents that place them under significant stress. Despite their frontline position, they can be overlooked — by the public, by those working in the buildings they protect, and sometimes even by their employers.

This is why we, at SGS, are embracing this year’s theme with both enthusiasm and action. “Movement” speaks to more than just physical activity — it symbolises positive change, momentum, and support for security mental health.

Movement and Mental Health: A Natural Connection

There is a substantial body of research linking physical activity with better mental health. Movement stimulates the release of endorphins — chemicals in the brain that elevate mood and stress relief. Walking, in particular, is accessible, low-impact, and suitable for all fitness levels. It’s a powerful form of exercise that doesn’t require a gym membership or specialist equipment. For our security officers, this can be a lifeline.

Whether it’s a short stroll during a break, walking part of the commute, or stretching during a quiet moment on shift, even modest increases in movement can improve concentration, sleep, and overall wellbeing. National Walking Month, which runs alongside Mental Health Awareness Week, is the perfect opportunity to highlight these benefits.

Challenges Unique to the Security Sector

Security officers face a distinct set of pressures. The job can be physically sedentary but emotionally demanding. Officers may witness distressing situations, be required to respond calmly in high-pressure moments, or endure long periods without meaningful social interaction.

Too often, signs of poor mental health in security staff go unnoticed. Officers might experience changes in mood, shifts in behaviour, or physical symptoms such as fatigue and poor posture. As they are frequently posted alone or operate outside regular office hours, these signs can be missed.

That’s why at SGS, we’re advocating for a culture where it’s ‘good to talk’. Encouraging open conversations about mental health — during briefings, in welfare visits, or even over a simple cup of tea and a biscuit — can make a world of difference.

A Proactive Approach to Support

Our duty of care to our officers must be more than just words. We are taking steps to actively identify those who may be at risk of poor mental health or loneliness. This includes:

• Regular welfare visits: A face-to-face check-in not only reinforces connection, but provides an opportunity to spot early signs of concern.
• Encouraging daily movement: We’re inviting officers to participate in walking challenges during May, logging steps or minutes moved each day.
• Group forums and buddy systems: Where possible, we’re creating opportunities for officers to connect — online or in person — to share experiences and support one another.
• Training and awareness: Line managers are being equipped to spot red flags, signpost support services, and respond empathetically.

We are also signposting national support services and encouraging team leaders to open dialogues with their teams about mental health. We want every SGS officer to feel seen, heard, and supported.

The Role of Employers in Tackling Loneliness and Isolation

Loneliness is one of the most significant yet under-recognised challenges facing the workforce today — and security officers are particularly vulnerable. Working alone or outside the hours when others are present can leave individuals feeling disconnected.

Employers have a responsibility to look beyond productivity metrics and consider the whole person. At SGS, we’re urging employers throughout the sector to:

• Create check-in routines as standard, not just during times of crisis.
• Use group chat platforms or forums to keep lone workers socially engaged.
• Recognise birthdays, milestones, and achievements, no matter how small.
• Encourage ‘open door’ communication policies with HR and management.

Connection doesn’t have to be complicated. A short call, a welfare visit, or a simple message of appreciation goes a long way.

Let’s Get Walking: National Walking Month in Action

Throughout May, SGS is promoting National Walking Month internally with a focus on engagement and wellbeing. Initiatives include encouraging officers to track their daily steps using free apps and inviting clients to join our officers and managers on a site patrol.

With walking for wellbeing, the key is to integrate movement into daily life in a way that feels natural and sustainable.

Creating a Culture That Cares

We often speak of a ‘culture of safety’ in the security industry — and rightly so. But what about a culture of compassion? A culture where mental health is prioritised, not just once a year, but every day.

At SGS, we are building that culture. It’s reflected in our leadership, in our line manager training, in our welfare policies, and in the way we talk to and about our officers. We want our people to know they are valued, not just for the role they perform, but for who they are.

Looking Ahead: Sustaining Momentum Beyond May

Mental Health Awareness Week and National Walking Month may be seasonal events, but the commitment to wellbeing must be year-round. As we look beyond May 2025, we are developing an ongoing wellbeing strategy that includes:

• Quarterly mental health check-ins
• Seasonal wellbeing campaigns (hydration, sleep, nutrition)
• Partnerships with local community initiatives

We are also committed to listening — our officers are the experts of their own experience. Their feedback shapes our policies and practices.

Final Word: Let’s Keep Moving — Together

Mental health is not a luxury. It’s a necessity — a foundation for living, working, and thriving. For those in the security profession, it is especially critical. By moving more, talking more, and caring more, we create an environment where everyone can flourish.

This Mental Health Awareness Week and National Walking Month, we encourage all our colleagues, clients, and partners to take a step — literally and figuratively — towards better mental health.

Whether it’s a walk around the building, a cup of tea with a colleague, or a quiet moment to check in with yourself — every step counts. Together, we move.

If you are an SGS officer and would like to talk confidentially, please contact your line manager or reach out via our Employee Assistance Programme.

Because at SGS — it’s good to talk.