Mental Health and Wellbeing Seminar

MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLBEING SEMINAR - 24 NOVEMBER 2026

The IMRF is pleased to announce that the next Mental Health and Wellbeing Seminar will take place on 24 November in St Malo, France. The IMRF Conference will follow this seminar on 25-26 November.

REGISTER HERE.

The seminar will take place at Le Carré Business Centre, St. Malo, France. The facilities provide a contemporary, well-connected venue located just a short walk from St. Malo railway station (approximately 3 hours from Paris by train). Venue: https://maps.app.goo.gl/u6YuReGdinZD5Xhw5 

(Scroll down to the bottom of the page for accommodation details).

Who is it for?

This conference is designed for anyone involved in maritime SAR, including:

• Operational personnel and volunteers
• Leaders and decision-makers
• Training, learning and technical specialists
• Organisations and companies supporting maritime safety and emergency response 

It brings together a wide range of organisations across the SAR ecosystem, including:

• Academic and training institutions
• Rescue Coordination Centres (RCCs)
• Coast Guards and navies
• Lifeboat and volunteer rescue organisations
• Maritime administrations
• Industry partners and technology providers

Whether you are on the front line or supporting behind the scenes, the conference is designed to be relevant and practical.

What will it cover?

This dedicated event will bring together maritime search and rescue (SAR) professionals to explore how organisations can strengthen mental health and wellbeing support across their teams. SAR personnel face unique psychological challenges, so supporting mental wellbeing in SAR requires a multi-faceted approach. Training programmes should include resilience-building techniques and practical strategies to help personnel manage stress and prepare for the realities of their role.

During the seminar, three key areas will be explored, alongside practical and accessible strategies specifically designed for those working in the SAR environment. By prioritising support before, during, and after incidents, SAR organisations can strengthen both the wellbeing of their personnel and the effectiveness of their life-saving missions.

This seminar comes at an important moment for the global SAR community. The International Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue (IAMSAR) Manual will include stronger reference to mental health and wellbeing considerations from 2028. The IMRF #SARYouOK? Guidance is built around the prepare, normalise, support model. Participants will examine case studies from SAR organisations that have introduced effective mental health and wellbeing programmes, along with lessons learned and the positive impact these approaches can have on operational culture.

The day will also include a practical session on normalising mental health and wellbeing conversations, helping teams create an environment where discussions about stress, trauma and psychological resilience can take place openly and without stigma.

Some of our speakers

Mark Bradley

Mark Bradley is a psychological support, trauma and critical incident management expert.

Adam Dixon

Adam Dixon is Mental Health and Wellbeing Lead at the RNLI.

Michelle Johnson

Michelle Johnson is Occupational Health and Wellbeing Manager at the RNLI.

Brigitte Laurent

Brigitte Laurent is a clinical psychologist and neuropsychologist. She has been a volunteer psychologist with the SNSM for 10 years, providing support and training for volunteers.

How to get there

By train: From Paris Montparnasse Station. Buy tickets at: https://www.sncf-connect.com/, choosing the destination "Saint-Malo", your departure station in Paris, and the desired dates.

From St. Malo train station there is a 400 metres walk to the conference location. 

Accommodation

There are several hotels in the area. Some of them are higlighted here.

Hotel 1: Ibis Budget Saint Malo Centre
Address: Boulevard des Talards 138-140, 35400 Saint-Malo. 16 minute walk from the conference center. Room capacity: 64 rooms. Price: 60-90 €. Click here to book.

Hotel 2: Mercure Saint Malo Balmoral
Address : 24 Rue Theodore Monod, 35400 Saint-Malo. 5 minute walk from the conference center (next to the train station). Room capacity: 77 rooms. Price: 90-120 € in early booking. Click here to book.

Hotel 3: Escale Oceania Saint Malo
Address : 76 Chaussée Du Sillon, 35400 Saint-Malo. 15 minute walk from the conference center. Room capacity: 88 rooms. Price: 90-120 € in early booking. Click here to book.

Hotel 4: Hôtel de l’univers
Address : 12 place Chateaubriand, 35400 Saint-Malo. 17 minute walk from the conference center. Room capacity: 64 rooms. Price: 100-140 €. Click here to book.

Hotel 5: Hôtel France et Chateaubriand
Address : 12 Pl. Chateaubriand, 35400 Saint-Malo. 17 minute walk from the conference center. Room capacity: 80 rooms. Price: 100-150 €. Click here to book.

More information on the hotels available in this pdf.

REGISTER HERE.