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)
In Wales, call 111 and select option 2 to speak to a dedicated member your local NHS Wales mental health team.
This service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week – offering urgent mental health support to people of all ages.
The number is free to call from a landline or mobile, even if you have no credit left.
But in life threatening situations, always call 999 or attend the nearest Emergency Department (A&E).
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
C.A.L.L. is the Mental Health Helpline for Wales – A community advice and listening line offering a confidential listening and support service for patients and families.
Freephone 0800 132 737
Email call@helpline.wales
Emergency Service workers can access the Mind Blue Light Programme and its dedicated confidential helpline 0300 303 5999.
NHS and Social Care Workers in Wales suffering with mental health issues can access high quality, online CBT therapy and a range of resources from Caonpi Wales.
You can also access wellbeing advice and support from Hapus, an online resource from Public Health Wales.
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.
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 Wales app can help you to access the health advice and primary healthcare support you may need.
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
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
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.