Deputy Prime Minister and Leader of the Liberal Democrats Nick Clegg will make a major speech this week, setting out new ways that the Government will help public sector workers to do their jobs, including support for blue light workers.

During his speech, Nick will praise workers “at the sharp end” – those who are on the frontline, the first on the scene, picking up the pieces, and helping people to rebuild their lives and recover from life-changing traumas.

He will make a new commitment to help blue light workers stay mentally well and stop them from burning out.

The new measures follows an announcement made at the Liberal Democrat conference earlier this month that waiting times standards will be introduced for mental health conditions for the first time from next year.

It will be another step towards the Liberal Democrat commitment towards putting mental health on a par with physical health.

Nick is expected to say:

“Throughout this Coalition, the Liberal Democrats have fought for the resources to secure equal treatment for mental health with physical health. In the emergency services, you’re given protective gloves, masks, stab vests, fire fighting kit etc, as well procedures to follow to keep you physically safe. I want to give you that same high standard of protection for your mental health.”

Nick Clegg is launching a pilot with the charity Mind, to start in Spring 2015, which will be given frontline mental health support from someone who has experience in their line of work.

Ultimately, Nick wants this to be rolled out across the public sector if it proves to be a success.