Photo credit: Mayberry Health and Home
If you or someone in your life is in crisis, please seek help urgently by ringing 111, or 999 in the case that someone’s life is in immediate danger.
For Samaritans call 116123 (available 24/7)
We all have mental health, and almost all of us will suffer from problems with our mental health or emotional wellbeing from time-to-time. For some of us, this will mean we need the help of professionals including our GP.
It’s always good to talk and share.
Help & Support
The following charities offer help, advice and support to people with problems with their mental health. Click the names to go straight to their websites:
Samaritans – call 116123 (available 24/7)
Workplace stress and anxiety is a growing problem. Your UNISON Workplace Rep, Union Learning Rep, or Health & Safety Rep and Branch can help you to get the support you need. Many employers also offer dedicated help to their staff to help
NHS and Social Care workers in Wales in who need to speak to someone can call a dedicated helpline from Samaritans, commissioned by the Welsh Government. It’s open every day between 7am–11pm
English – Call 08004840555
Cymraeg – Galw 08081642777
Emergency Service workers can access the Mind Blue Light Programme and its dedicated confidential helpline 0300 303 5999.
NHS Workers in Wales suffering with mental health issues can access six sessions of free, high quality, online CBT therapy from Help for Health Professionals.
Social Care Workers in Wales can find out about the advice, help and support available from Social Care Wales on the dedicated Your Health & Wellbeing section of their website.
This includes information on their pioneering Cwtch peer support networks that provide different groups of managers in the sector with a place where they can discuss and share experiences with others in similar positions.
Learn more about the new Employee Assistance Programme for all social care workers in Wales, which launches in December 2021, by registering to view their on-demand webinar.
Police Service staff can access dedicated help and support, including the Oscar Kilo programme with all the details being listed on the College of Policing’s Wellbeing pages: Wellbeing | College of Policing.
The NHS has a list of recommended apps for your smartphone or tablet that can help you to look after your mental health and emotional wellbeing. Many of these are absolutely free to use.
Diet or Disorder is a free smartphone and tablet app designed with the NHS in Wales for people everywhere who are concerned they may have an eating disorder and for people who care. Download it on Apple iTunes or Google Play Store
Learning
We know that learning something new is a great way to keep yourself well and can be a key part of aiding recovery from mental illness. Learning how you can support yourself and your colleagues can also be a great way of spreading the message about mental health at work and in our communities.
Below is a list of learning resources and free e-learning courses for you and your colleagues, including learning and training available through UNISON and elsewhere. We also run regular All-Wales webinars for members and non-members on mental health-related topics such as Secondary & Vicarious Trauma.
All UNISON members can request free access to Staff Skills Academy, which includes the following e-learning courses:
- Stress Management in the Workplace Certification
- Reducing Stress (Techniques to Relax) Certification
- Reducing Stress with Meditation and Visualisation Certification
- Stress Management Certification
In Wales, all public service workers can have a free account with UNISON Cymru Wales Microlearn pathway on the Access Workspace, which includes the following short Microlearn e-learning courses supported by video content:
- Dealing with Stress (15mins)
- Relaxation (15mins)
These courses are funded by the Welsh Government through the Wales Union Learning Fund (WULF).
UNISON members can also get free access to the Wranx e-learning system, and their Working from Home module includes a section on Mental Health.
Everyone can access the fantastic free Stress Awareness resources from the Open University OpenLearn website.
Bargaining in the Workplace
UNISON’s Mental health at work Health and Safety campaign includes our new Bargaining Guide with information on how to get involved in improving workplace mental health for everyone.
The Wales TUC has created a Mental Health Toolkit to support union reps and others to help their colleagues and to work with employers to improve conditions in the workplace.