Almost half of Channel Islands Air Search’s emergency deployments over the past five years have involved missing people, new figures have shown.
The organisation revealed this week that 45 of its 107 callouts between 2021 and 2025 were searches for missing persons – accounting for 42% of all missions.
The charity said the figures highlight the close link between emergency response operations and mental health crises across the Channel Islands.
Nick Griffin, Accountable Manager at Channel Islands Air Search, said each deployment represented a person in serious difficulty and a family waiting for answers.
“When our aircraft is deployed, it means someone is in real difficulty,” he said.
“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.”
He added: “…Emergency services are often the last line of support. Prevention and awareness can help reduce the need for searches and ultimately save lives.”
The figures have been released as Air Search launches ‘We See You’, a joint campaign with Mind Jersey and Guernsey Mind aimed at encouraging people to seek help before reaching crisis point.
The initiative comes against a backdrop of wider concerns about mental wellbeing in the islands.
An estimated one in five children and adults in Jersey are now struggling with a common mental health condition, such as anxiety or depression, with 50% of conditions beginning by age 14 and 75% presenting by age 24.
Meanwhile, according to the Guernsey and Alderney Wellbeing Survey 2023, 12.1% of respondents reported low mental health, rising to 26.8% among 16 to 24-year-olds. More than a third of respondents said they experienced intense social loneliness.
Dr Patricia Tumelty, Executive Director of Mind Jersey, said early intervention was key.
When our aircraft is deployed, it means someone is in real difficulty
Nick Griffin, Accountable Manager at Channel Islands Air Search
“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,” she said.
Jo Cottell, Chief Executive of Guernsey Mind, added: “We know from talking to people who contact us at Guernsey Mind that the causes of poor mental health vary widely.
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Sign up for free“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.”
