Channel Islands Air Search, Guernsey Mind and Mind Jersey are launching ‘We See You’, a collaborative mental health awareness initiative aimed at building awareness and breaking stigma across the islands.
The partnership comes as new figures reveal that nearly half of all Channel Islands Air Search callouts over the past five years have been missing persons. CIAS has been called upon 107 times from the start of 2021 to the end of 2025, with 45 (42%) of these deployments being missing person searches, highlighting the growing link between emergency response and mental health crises in our island communities.
Nick Griffin, Accountable Manager at Channel Islands Air Search, said: “When our aircraft is deployed, it means someone is in real difficulty. 42% of our recent missions have involved searching for missing people, and behind every one of those callouts are family members, friends and a community who care deeply.
“Through ‘We See You’, we want to reinforce that emergency services are often the last line of support. Prevention and awareness can help reduce the need for searches and ultimately save lives.”
Data from the Guernsey and Alderney Wellbeing Survey 2023 (published October 2024) reinforces the scale of this challenge locally. 12.1% of respondents identified as having low mental health, rising to 26.8% among 16–24-year-olds, while 34.9% reported feeling intensely socially lonely, with the highest levels again among 16–24-year-olds (43%).
Jo Cottell, Chief Executive of Guernsey Mind, said: “We know from talking to people who contact us at Guernsey Mind that the causes of poor mental health vary widely. There may be one reason, but more often it’s a combination of factors including loneliness, relationship or money worries, work pressures or physical health challenges.
“Reaching out for help early is the best way to help recovery and there is a wide range of help and support available across the Channel Islands.”
Dr Patricia Tumelty, Executive Director at Mind Jersey, said: “The impact of Mental health crises affects every part of our island communities, and we know that emergency services are often the last line of support.
“At Mind Jersey, we believe that early intervention and prevention matter. By encouraging people to seek help earlier and by building greater awareness and compassion across our islands, we can reduce the number of people reaching crisis points.
“This collaboration is about sharing and learning, strengthening our understanding of island life and communities, to help keep people safe. We are incredibly pleased to be working alongside Channel Islands Air Search and Guernsey Mind on this important initiative.”
Main picture: Left to right – Professor Claire de Than, Chairman of Jersey Friends of Air Search, Philippa Knight, Jersey Friends of Air Search, Dr Patricia Tumelty, Executive Director of Jersey Mind).
