Mental health and wellbeing

In addition to pressures an individual may be experiencing at work, other personal issues can have a detrimental impact on many people’s lives. This may be experienced as feelings of isolation, anxiety, financial insecurity, emotional issues related to family, concerns about the future or changes in one’s ability to enjoy the company of friends and other forms of relaxation. These pressures can lead to mental health and wellbeing issues.

MPA is keen to ensure that managers and employees are able to recognise the symptoms that are often indicators of mental health issues, understand some simple coping strategies and, most importantly, understand that the support available to individuals and how managers can support their colleagues.

MPA has produced 2 simple guides that include links to other organisations and resources that provide support in dealing with mental health and wellbeing issues. further links are available at the end of this page.

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MATES IN MIND

MPA is also committed to championing the Mates in Mind initiative,
that starts the process of lowering the barriers that prevent
people from seeking help – most of all, the stigma associated
with talking about mental health. More information is available in the Managers guide or by following the link to its website.

ORGANISATIONS PROVIDING SUPPORT

NHS Support

Mental Health Services are free on the NHS.  Some mental health services allow people to refer themselves - this commonly includes services for drug problems and alcohol problems, as well as psychological therapies (IAPT) services. Others require a referral from a GP to access them.  Information on services can be found by using a postcode. 

In a non-emergency situation, individuals would be best advised to see their GP.

 In an emergency

Individuals may have already been given a crisis line number to use in an emergency, in which case they should be advised to call it, where appropriate.

Call 999 or go to your local A&E Department

Otherwise 

England: The NHS Psychological therapies service can be accessed without the need to see a Doctor. Local NHS urgent mental health helplines can be accessed by postcode at the following site NHS Urgent Mental Health - 24-hour advice and support care; for help to speak to a mental health professional, and an assessment to help decide on the best course of care.  

Scotland: Citizens Advice Scotland provides links to all services and sources of information that are likely to be required, including what to do in an emergency. 

Wales: NHS 111 provides general advice on services. The Mental Health Helpline For Wales provides advice and also a

Community Advice & Listening Line - 0800 132 737 or text help to 81066

 Northern Ireland: NI Direct provides directions to information on mental health support and services

 Employee Assistance Programmes

Many companies provide an employee assistance programme, intended to help employees deal with personal problems that might adversely impact their work performance, health and wellbeing – these generally include assessment, short-term counselling and referral services for employees and their immediate family. These are usually accessible 24/7 by phone.

 Other Sources of Help

 Anxiety UK - Charity providing support if you have been diagnosed with an anxiety condition.Phone: 03444 775 774 (Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 10pm; Saturday to Sunday, 10am to 8pm) Website: www.anxietyuk.org.uk

CALM is the Campaign Against Living Miserably, for men aged 15 to 35. Phone: 0800 58 58 58 (daily, 5pm to midnight)  Website: www.thecalmzone.net 

Construction Industry Help Line (and app) – The Construction Industry Helpline provides a 24/7 safety net for all construction workers and their families in the UK and Ireland. It provides; Emergency financial aid to construction families in crisis; Advice on occupational health and mental wellbeing; and support on legal, tax and debt management matters. Phone: UK 0345 605 1956, Ireland 1800 939 122Free app: Construction Industry Helpline available on Google Play and the App Store 

Men's Health Forum - 24/7 stress support for men by text, chat and email. Website: www.menshealthforum.org.uk 

Mental Health Foundation - Provides information and support for anyone with mental health problems or learning disabilities. Website: www.mentalhealth.org.uk 

Mind - Promotes the views and needs of people with mental health problems.Phone: 0300 123 3393 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm)  Website: www.mind.org.uk

 PAPYRUS - Young suicide prevention society. Phone: HOPELINEUK 0800 068 4141 (Monday to Friday, 10am to 10pm, and 2pm to 10pm on weekends and bank holidays)  Website: www.papyrus-uk.org 

Rethink Mental Illness - Support and advice for people living with mental illness. Phone: 0300 5000 927 (Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 4pm) Website: www.rethink.org

Samaritans -Confidential support for people experiencing feelings of distress or despair. Phone: 116 123 (free 24-hour helpline) Website: www.samaritans.org.uk

 SANE - Emotional support, information and guidance for people affected by mental illness, their families and carers. SANEline: 0300 304 7000 (daily, 4.30pm to 10.30pm) Textcare: comfort and care via text message, sent when the person needs it most: www.sane.org.uk/textcare  Peer support forum: www.sane.org.uk/supportforum       Website: www.sane.org.uk/support

 SHOUT - UK’s first 24/7 text service, free on all major mobile networks, “for anyone in crisis anytime, anywhere. It’s a place to go if you’re struggling to cope and you need immediate help”. Text: 85258 Website: https://www.giveusashout.org/ 

Veterans Gateway – UK Government portal that’s “the first point of contact for veterans seeking support”  from a consortium of organisations and Armed Forces charities  Website https://www.veteransgateway.org.uk/

 YoungMinds - Information on child and adolescent mental health. Services for parents and professionals.   Phone: Parents' helpline 0808 802 5544 (Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 4pm) Website: www.youngminds.org.uk

 Workplace Mental Health Support Service    Provided by Remploy, in partnership with Access to Work, WMHSS offers a free and confidential support service to help you remain in your job when it is being affected by stress, anxiety, depression or other mental health issue (whether diagnosed or not). If you are finding work difficult or you are absent from work their advisors will help you make a wellbeing plan and support you with workplace adjustments, including how to get support from your employer.  Phone 0300 4568114