Carmen Bezzina, UNISON Cymru Wales lead on mental health. Photo credit: Natasha Hirst
Public service workers in Wales are set to benefit from specialist mental health support provided by Mind Cymru.
The charity has teamed up with UNISON Cymru Wales to encourage NHS employees and care staff working through the Covid crisis, to seek help if they need it.
Using Welsh government emergency funding, MIND Cymru is offering affected frontline staff a six-week guided self-help programme to help them feel more in control of their emotions. The course is designed to help with anxiety; depression; stress and grief.
Carmen Bezzina, UNISON Cymru Wales lead on mental health said,
“Healthcare employees and care workers have looked after our loved ones under tough and frightening circumstances. Their efforts have been fantastic but there’s no doubt gruelling shifts caring for Covid-19 patients have impacted on people’s mental health. Communities and families have been devastated by the virus.
“Dealing with the mental health consequences of the pandemic over the coming years is going to be as much of a challenge as tackling Covid-19 itself.
“UNISON wants to encourage health and care workers needing specialist support to seek out Mind Cymru’s professionals.”
Sara Moseley, director of Mind Cymru said,
“Welsh government funding means Mind therapists are on hand to offer vital assistance to those affected by Covid. We can provide people with the tools they’ll need to understand themselves better, and support them through the course with regular phone calls.
“Over 600 individuals have so far used the programme during the last six weeks and Mind has now asked UNISON to use its reach with thousands of public service workers in Wales to encourage more to come forward. We want to help as many key workers as possible.”
Notes for editors
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Mind Cymru is working with UNISON to encourage public service workers to access this free six-week support on the following as part of the free Active Monitoring scheme:
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Anxiety
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Depression
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Self-esteem
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Stress
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Feeling alone
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Managing anger
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Grief and loss
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Thanks to funding from WCVA and Welsh Government, Mind professionals are offering Active Monitoring throughout most of Wales. Anyone over 18 can access the free service via: English language: Mind.org.uk/AMWales Welsh language: Mind.org.uk/AMCymru
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Leading mental health organisations have come together in Our Frontline to provide, for the first time, a single service to support the millions of key workers who are putting their mental health under pressure as they form our frontline against the coronavirus. More information can be found here
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UNISON organised courses on PTSD training, trauma and bereavement workshops and other courses on mental well-being.
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Anyone with severe trauma should call the Samaritans immediately; English 0800 484 0555; Welsh 0808 164 2777. This is the new Samaritans wellbeing support line for health and social care workers in Wales, funded by the Welsh Government.
Contact
Alastair Gittins, UNISON Cymru Wales press officer on 07816 53 83 97