Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing
Our mental and emotional wellbeing is about how we think, how we behave, how life affects us, how we cope with it, how we engage with others and the choices we make. A wide range of factors can contribute to or cause mental health issues, for example having caring responsibilities, financial concerns and physical ill health.
This page includes access to information and support that enables staff to manage and promote their own mental health and emotional wellbeing. All further information relating to all organisations and topics below can be found on the right hand side under external links.
Local Resources
Inverclyde Association for Mental Health & Bizzjoy Counselling
Inverclyde Association for Mental Health are working in partnership with Bizzjoy Counselling to offer access to free counselling sessions for adults, in a safe space, with strict confidentiality (face to face or via zoom, if preferred). For enquiries, contact 07733683442, Monday to Friday.
Man on Inverclyde
‘Man On’ is a suicide prevention peer support service for the men of Inverclyde. They have online meetings via Zoom every Tuesday evening at 7pm, and a WhatsApp group for support and updates. They also have premises at 15 Dellingburn Street, Greenock. This group is available to all males across Inverclyde. In addition, they have set up groups for women. For them there is an online Zoom meeting every Wednesday from 7pm – 9pm (themed talks) as well as 1:1 support on a Thursday between 6pm and 9pm (either in person or via zoom).
Mind Mosaic Counselling & Therapy, Inverclyde
An Inverclyde charity providing counselling and therapy services to the people of Inverclyde. Services are being provided remotely by video conference or telephone. Mind Mosaic are setting up a support group for new mums with children between 0 – 18 months via zoom. The groups will have chats on weekly topics as well as establishing new friendships. A new dads’ support group will be set up in due course.
Other Resources
Bipolar Scotland
Information, support and listing of local self-help groups for people with bipolar disorder is available on their website.
Breathing Space
This is a free and confidential telephone service, providing advice and information for anyone over the age of 16 in Scotland experiencing low mood, depression or anxiety. Contact the service on 0800 838587 or visit their website.
British Psychological Society
Nationwide listings of psychologists, including psychologists specialising in psychotherapy.
Early Years Scotland Wellbeing Hub
This site provides a range of practical Wellbeing support for all the amazing people who work in Early Learning and Childcare (ELC).
Working in childcare can be the most rewarding job there is but we also know that it can be a challenging role. Aside from the daily challenges you overcome to support children and families, COVID-19 has impacted our lives in ways we could not have foreseen and that will continue for some time.
We all know how important it is in our everyday life to support our Wellbeing. Wellbeing is often described in relation to how happy, comfortable and healthy you are. This Wellbeing Hub hosts a wealth of resources to support you in understanding your Wellbeing, your mental health and mental illness.
GTC Scotland Health and Wellbeing Hub
The Health and Wellbeing Hub was launched by GTC Scotland at the start of lockdown in March 2020. Resources are continually being added to this Hub and there is an extremely wide range of materials on various issues related to Health and Wellbeing.
A 24-hour telephone support and counselling service to provide teachers with practical and emotional support: 08000 562 561. For more information, and advice on how to contact the service via email or chat services, see the website.
Heads Up Scotland
Visit the Heads Up website for advice and information on mental health, to support yourself or the people you care for. The website also provides information on services and interventions available.
Health Scotland
Health Scotland works at national level to support organisations, policy-makers, communities and individuals to take action to improve health and reduce health inequalities across Scotland. Health Scotland is responsible for the national rollout and project management of Scotland's Mental Health First Aid.
Healthy Working Lives
Healthy Working Lives was established in April 2005 to lead and support the delivery of the Workplace strand of the Scottish Government's Health Improvement Challenge policy.
At Inverclyde Council we take the health, safety and wellbeing of our employees very seriously and we believe in taking a proactive, health improvement approach to tackling ill-health in the workplace. Our health improvement strategies have led us to be the first local authority to achieve the Gold Healthy Working Lives award from Health Scotland.
The Council's Health and Safety Policy commits the Council to looking after the health, safety and welfare of all employees. Advice and guidance on Health and Safety issues is available from a corporate team of Health and Safety advisers.
A range of health awareness days and different social events are run throughout the year to promote the uptake of physical health activities in line with national and local health agendas.
We offer employees a generous discount at Inverclyde’s Leisure Facilities which has a gym, swimming pool, ice rink, and a range of fitness classes.
The programme provides workplace health, safety and wellbeing information for employers.
Living Life
NHS Living Life is a free telephone service for people over the age of 16 feeling low, anxious or stressed, open Monday to Friday, 1pm to 9pm. The telephone number is: 0800 328 9655
Living Life to the Full
Living Life to the Full On-line is a powerful life skills resource. The course has been written by a psychiatrist who has many years of experience using a cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) approach and also in helping people use these skills in everyday life. During the development phase of the course, each module has been used by a wide range of health care practitioners and members of the public. Joining and using the site is entirely free.
Mental Health Support Service
You can get confidential support and advice from a trained healthcare professional from the Mental Health Support Service. You do not need to have a diagnosed condition to use the service, however, your mental health condition must affect your ability to do your job. It must also mean you need support to:
- start a new job
- reduce absence from work
- stay in work
You can apply for Access to Work to get mental health support, or contact a Mental Health Support Service provider directly. The services are funded by the Department of Work and Pensions.
They are:
Able Futures
- Able Futures can help you manage your mental health at work so you can enjoy more good days. They could give you nine months advice and guidance from a mental health specialist who can help you learn coping mechanisms, build resilience, access therapy or work with your employer to make adjustments to help your mental health at work.
- You can call Able Futures free on 0800 321 3137 from 8am to 10.30pm, Monday to Friday to find out more about our online mental health support. Alternatively, you can apply online using the link on the right.
- Further information can be found in the Employer Toolkit linked on the right.
Remploy
- This confidential service delivered by Remploy is available at no charge to any employees with depression, anxiety, stress or other mental health issues affecting their work. They offer 9 months of work-focused mental health support, coping strategies, a support plan and advice on workplace adjustments
- If you or your colleagues would like support, you can call them on 0300 456 8114, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, or email a2wmhss@remploy.co.uk. Alternatively, you complete an online enquiry form to request a call back using the link on the right.
You do not have to get Access to Work to get support from the Mental Health Support Service, but you must be eligible.
Eligibility
To get help through Access to Work or direct from either of the support services you must:
- have a mental health condition and need support in work
- are aged 16 or over
NHS Inform
This site contains a variety of self-help guides to support mental health and wellbeing, linked on the right.
Experiencing mental health difficulties during the pandemic? Get free, confidential help on nhsinform.scot/mind or call NHS24 on 111.
Their site has information on staying informed, how to create a healthy routine, how to stay connected with friends and family and how to find support.
The Finding Support page lists resources like your G.P., 111, Samaritans, Breathing Space, SAMH and others. There are also self-help guides for anxiety, panic, depression and other mental health guides.
No Panic
No Panic aids the relief and rehabilitation of people who experience anxiety disorders and supports their families and carers. Help and information is also offered for anxiety-related matters, including tranquiliser withdrawal.
Samaritans
Samaritans have a free helpline for anyone who is struggling, available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Contact them on 116 123.
For more information, and other ways to get in touch, see the website.
SAMH
Information and advice on mental health, and provides services in areas such as primary care, schools and further education. Also runs supported employment projects in several areas of Scotland. Useful resources are also available on their website.
Scottish Government
You can find out more about the Scottish Government's Mental Health Strategy 2017-2027, actions they are taking to improve mental health services, attitudes towards mental health, to respect, protect and fulfil rights, and to reduce suicide, on the link provided.
See Me Scotland
Scotland's national anti-stigma and discrimination programme for mental health provides information, facts and statistics on mental health, plus free campaign materials for various settings. Workplace resources and e-learning can be found on their website.
Scottish Recovery Network
The Scottish Recovery Network is working to raise awareness of recovery from long-term mental health problems and to develop a better understanding of what helps promote recovery across communities.
Shout 85258 - text support service
Shout 85258 is a free, confidential, anonymous, 24/7 UK text messaging support service for anyone experiencing a challenging time with their mental health. Available for anyone, of any age, text the word 'SHOUT' to 85258 when in need of support (free from all major UK networks).
The Wellness Society
The Wellness Society have a free tool to help you build resilience during difficult times.
The Willow Care Service
Specialist grief support, through Ardgowan Hospice, to individuals impacted by COVID-19 in Inverclyde. Support is available for adults, children and young people, and carers.
United to Prevent Suicide
Informed by thousands of people across Scotland and co-produced with people of lived experience, United to Prevent Suicide, a new campaign launched by Scotland’s National Suicide Prevention Leadership Group (NSPLG), aims to build confidence to talk about suicide and invites people to pledge their support to the national movement for change.
Supporters are invited to join the movement by first signing the pledge on their website. The movement aims to help improve knowledge and skills in suicide prevention through a United to Prevent Suicide pack, which includes learning resources on listening and talking about suicide.
If you would like further information on the above topics please check ICON, Inverclyde Council's employee intranet, or if you do not have access please call the OD Team on 01475 712760.