Mental Health Referral Services
Managing our own and our colleagues' mental health
04 August 2020
As we begin to come out of lockdown many of us are faced with both challenges and opportunities. Inevitably, each of us will handle the stresses in different ways.
The idea of returning to work when the scientific debate is ongoing may be worrying for those who are more at risk from the virus or living with mental health problems. As our workplaces open up, your staff will make assessments of how safe things feel for them, and how they balance the risk to their wellbeing of remaining locked down against the risk of getting the virus if they resume activities.
At times of stress, we work better in company and with support, and so it is important that your employees feel they can speak openly about these stresses, and be able to discuss with you how their working environment can contribute to making them feel safe. For example, they may benefit from more and shorter breaks, especially if they can go outside in to the fresh air.
Employers have a 'duty of care'. This means they must do all they reasonably can to support employees' health, safety and wellbeing, including mental health wellbeing. Thankfully there are many resources and sources of information to help you and your team better manage these issues:
For urgent help:
NELFT Mental Health Direct
Tel: 0300 555 1000
Open to callers based in 4 London boroughs (Barking & Dagenham, Havering, Waltham Forest and Redbridge
for 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.)
NHS referral service (including self-referral)
Havering Talking Therapies
Petersfield Centre
Petersfield Avenue
Harold Hill, RM3 9PB
Tel: 0300 300 1554 (Option 2)
Email: [email protected]
Opening times: 9am - 5pm, Monday to Friday.
Referrals will be accepted from GPs and other health professionals. Self-referrals also accepted: call between the hours of 9am - 5pm on the number above to book an appointment for an initial assessment. Outside of office hours there is an answerphone where you can leave your name and contact details Alternatively you can self-refer online by visiting http://www.mytalkingtherapies.org.uk/
Mental health first aid is the help provided to a person who is developing a mental health problem, experiencing a worsening of an existing mental health problem or in a mental health crisis. The first aid is given until appropriate professional help is received or the crisis resolves.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has updated its guidance. As of 2018, employers need to consider covering Mental Health First Aid training in addition to First Aid at Work training. You can find more information here https://www.hse.gov.uk/stress/mental-health.htm
Training providers
https://www.remploy.co.uk/employers/training/mental-health-first-aid
https://mhfaengland.org/mhfa-centre/resources/for-workplaces/
https://www.sja.org.uk/course-information/guidance-and-help/mental-health-resources/workplace-mental-health-first-aid-training-guide/