Further resources for mental wellbeing

There are a number of courses run from time to time by Occupational Health:

• Classroom Fatigue sessions
• Resilience workshops

Contact ohu@gloucestershire.gov.uk to find out more.

Occupational Health, managers helpline number: 01452 425073 (option 2), 8.30am - 5pm.

If you would like to access counselling outside of work, you may find the following sites useful:

• Counselling Directory
• The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy is the professional association for members of the counselling professions in the UK

• Counselling can usually be accessed through an Employee Assistance programme if you have access to one. If you don’t have access to an EAP, contact OHU@gloucestershire.gov.uk about subscribing to the GCC EAP.

• Employee Assistance Programme (Health Assured) - Schoolsnet (gloucestershire.gov.uk)

• Types of Mental Health problems
• Mental Health UK - Loneliness and mental health at work
• Happiful - online magazine

•  TIC+: Webchat - www.ticplus.org.uk, or call 0800 6525675 (parent support and advice line);

•  Samaritans: 116 123, or email jo@samaritans.org;

• CrimeStoppers: 0800 555 111 (100% anonymous, always);

•  Education Support: 08000 562 561 (Offers immediate, confidential emotional support from a qualified counsellor);

•  Gloucestershire Self Harm Helpline: Freephone (5pm to 10pm daily) 0808 801 0606, or text: 07537 410022;

•  Glos NHS: https://www.onyourmindglos.nhs.uk/;

•  QWELL: https://qwell.io;

•  The Door: 01453 756745;

•  Winstons Wish: 08088 020021;

• Employee Assistance Programme (for school and college staff): 

  • phone 0800 028 0199  (free 24 hour helpline);
  • go to Health Assured EAP (username: Gloucester and password: Council); or
  • Use Health Assured's new app 'My Healthy Advantage'

• Occupational Health: Phone: 01452 425073 (for contact during office hours) or email: ohu@gloucestershire.gov.uk;

•  Police Information: 101;

•  CAMHs Professional Advice Line: 01452 894272

With more and more of us affected by mental health issues, it is vital that all employers are able to identify the main warning signs of mental ill-health. See the list of courses, case-studies, and resources below to help you to support your staff:

• St John Ambulance offers Mental Health First Aid training courses to enable managers and supervisors to identify, understand and assist those who may be developing, or suffering from a mental health issue;

• Developed, led and supported by employers Mindful Employer provides organisations with access to information and support for staff who experience stress, anxiety, depression or other mental health conditions. Resources are free to download. Take a look at Working with Anxiety and Let’s Talk. TME can send you the mp3 files if you want to use them on your staff intranet or e-learning sites: they are free so do get in touch;

•  This Anna Freud Centre booklet offers practical guidance about what school staff and senior leaders can do to support their own and their colleagues' wellbeing;
  
  
  
• Gloucestershire DASH (Domestic Abuse, Stalking, Harassment and Honour Based Violence) Risk Assessment Form for practitioners who work with victims of domestic abuse to identify those at high risk of harm and whose cases should be referred to a MARAC meeting in order to manage the risk;
  
  
• How one school takes the stress off teachers (Guardian 22/9/2017).
  
  

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) England has published a best-practice guide on the role of the Mental Health First Aider in the workplace - Being a Mental Health First Aider: Your guide to the role. The best-practice guide:

• Is designed to support and empower anyone qualified in Mental Health First Aid skills to perform their role safely and effectively in the workplace;

• Will support you to understand the boundaries and responsibilities of your role and also gives advice on engaging with your employer;

• Focuses mainly on the Mental Health First Aider role but also covers MHFA Champion and Mental Health Aware roles.

Please note: Your employer may be in the process of creating a bespoke policy so be sure to check in with them before using this guide if you are a Mental Health First Aider or MHFA Champion. 

Implementing Mental Health First Aiders: Guide for employers supports employers in understanding how to effectively implement Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) England training in the workplace as part of a 'whole organisation' approach to mental health. 

Mental Health Support Network provided by Chasing the Stigma | Hub of hope

5 Ways to support our mental health while teaching from home:

• Detox digitally: Try to find time in your day to unwind from digital appliances, giving your eyes, head and brain a chance to detox from the constant speed of media content. It is good for your health and wellbeing to switch off all devices one hour before bedtime each evening.
  
  
• Set good Boundaries   Aim to keep your workspace, recreation space and sleep space and times separate to help distinguish between work, home life and rest. Make a conscious effort as you walk into your workspace and also leave it at the end of the day.
  
  
• Find new ways to connect?  Try setting yourself small tasks, rewards or challenges throughout the working week. Make small changes to your daily walk, change the route or try a different activity or hobby in the evening that you haven’t tried before.  Keeping your mind enquiring and engaging in finding new things can ease the current pressures and support your mental health.
  
  
• Take regular breaks: Move: Keep your body moving and active as much as you can, the more you can keep your body moving the better for your physical and mental health.  Try a few stretches in between lessons, get out of your seat stretch, dance or try some gentle walks in your breaks. Hydrate: take plenty of water and small snacks to keep your energy levels up during the day.
  
  
• Share: Share your worries or concerns with people you trust. If you are isolated and on your own there are lots of online and other resources to connect with others.

You may be feeling anxious, worried, low mood or have feelings of depression. By sharing these thoughts and feelings it can help to work through them and find new perspectives and insights. Try holding regular ‘staff room time’ online with colleagues.

Finally….

Remember to Breathe:  Keep the bigger picture in mind and stay calm, this moment in time will pass and we will get through this. What plans can you start making today for a better tomorrow and a better you?

What support is available?

• Occupational Health - please discuss with your Head Teacher if you feel a referral would benefit. Occupational Health Head Teacher’s helpline Telephone: 01452 425073. Find out about self-care, resilience and trauma and bereavement.
• Health Assured, EAP - a free service for staff providing a range of information and support, including 24 hour confidential telephone counselling and support 0800 030 5182. (make sure your school purchase this service)
• GLoW - GloW Gloucestershire Wellbeing - positive actions for better mental wellbeing.
• Be Well - a campaign to help when stress, anxiety, isolation and other challenges become hard to deal with.
• Samaritans – for everyone - Call 116 123 - Email: jo@samaritans.org
• Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) – for men - Call 0800 58 58 58 – 5pm to midnight every day.
• Papyrus – for people under 35 - Call 0800 068 41 41 – Monday to Friday 9am to 10pm, weekends and bank holidays 2pm to 10pm - Text 07860 039967 - Email pat@papyrus-uk.org
• Childline – for children and young people under 19 - Call 0800 1111 – the number will not show up on your phone bill.
• Silverline -  0800470 8090 Information, advice and counselling for older people 24/7.