Sefton Corporate Learning Centre
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Mental Health and Wellbeing

In these unique and challenging times, it is important to look after ourselves and be aware of not only our Physical Health, but our Mental Health and Wellbeing.  We do have an accredited Mental Health at Work Level 3 course available at the Corporate Learning Centre – the course is over 2 days and costs £180 (free to Sefton Council staff excluding schools). There is also a Mental Health at Work online course which takes approximately 45 minutes to complete and costs £35pp.

However, we have developed this web page which contains some practical tips to support Mental Health and Wellbeing.  Here you will find out about the support that’s available from Occupational Health and our Health and Safety teams.  There’s also a selection of Mental Health and Wellbeing learning resources which includes eLearning, signposting to useful mobile phone applications, mental health related helplines and reports that we hope you find useful.

Resources will be regularly reviewed on a regular basis
however if you have any suggestions as to what else needs to be included please
let us know by emailing Michael Mainwaring, Learning and Development Service Manager at michael.mainwaring@sefton.gov.uk

Image of the beach on a summers day

Mental Health

One in four people in the UK will have a mental health problem at some point. While
mental health problems are common, most are mild, tend to be short-term and are
normally successfully treated, with medication, by a GP.

Mental Health is about how we think, feel and behave. Anxiety and depression are the
most common mental health problems. They are often a reaction to a difficult
life event, such as bereavement, but can also be caused by work-related issues.
Work can also aggravate pre-existing conditions, and problems at work can bring
on symptoms or make their effects worse. For further information click the
following link: https://www.hse.gov.uk/stress/mental-health.htm

Stress

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) define stress as “the adverse reaction people have to excessive
pressure or other type of demand placed on them.” This makes an important
distinction between pressure which can be a positive state if managed correctly
and stress which can be detrimental to health.  More background
information can be found on the HSE website:

http://www.hse.gov.uk/stress

For
more information open the link below:
http://www.hse.gov.uk/stress/furtheradvice/signsandsymptoms.htm

http://intranet.smbc.loc/our-council/health-safety/stress-management.aspx

Use the support that’s available

Support with looking after your mental health

Sefton employees wanting support with their mental wellbeing can now contact one of two organisations.

Staff working in adult and children’s social care can use the specialist support services provided by the Cheshire and Merseyside Resilience Hub at www.cheshiremerseyresiliencehub.nhs.uk.

The rest of the Council workforce can access support through the national Able Futures service – www.able-futures.co.uk.

Cheshire and Merseyside Resilience Hub

Among the services provided by Cheshire and Merseyside Resilience Hub or Health and Social Care workers are support with:

    • stress, anxiety and self-care;

    • coping with trauma;

    • avoiding burnout;

    • resilience well-being and peer support.

Resources available include free apps covering meditation, sleep improvement, relaxation, managing worries and improving wellbeing.

Social care staff can self-refer to the Cheshire and Merseyside Resilience Hub here.

Able Futures

Through Able Futures, those in the wider workforce can access advice and guidance from a mental health specialist to help them learn coping mechanisms, build resilience or access therapy and make adjustments to help your mental health at work.

Able Futures can provide support with

    • anxiety;

    • stress;

    • depression;

    • bereavement;

    • coping at Christmas.

Eating and drinking issues, getting a good night’s sleep, seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and general mental wellbeing are also covered.

You can find details of other support around mental health issues across Sefton and beyond, here.

Whether we are at work or not many employers provide support.

    • Many employers offer Employee Assistance Programmes, and wider benefits. Use these wherever you need – many have dedicated apps and websites and they aren’t just about counselling. 

    • Sefton Council Occupational Health Service – offers a range of services which includes Occupational Health Nursing and Physicians, Health Promotion, Counselling, Physiotherapy and Psychotherapy.  For referrals, questions or queries, call 0151 934 3650 or email health.unit@sefton.gov.uk

    • Listening Ear – a telephone support line for member of staff concerned about their emotional wellbeing, mental health, and current situation.  The service is available to all Sefton Council employees including anyone who works in primary, secondary or an Academy within Sefton. Listening Ear has set up a telephone support line on 0800 048 5224

  •  

    • Corporate
      Health and Safety Team       are concerned with the
      physical and psychological health, safety and wellbeing of staff and managers
      at work, or external factors affecting work. They can advise on changes that
      may be required to the way we work, the environment and the work itself and can
      signpost managers and staff to support and tools available where anyone is, or
      could be at risk of experiencing poor psychological wellbeing, poor mental or
      physical health.

The team have developed a Psychological Health Risk
Assessment guidance and template to enable Managers to carry out a robust
risk assessment in the workplace.  Click on the following link for further
information – http://intranet.smbc.loc/our-council/health-safety/stress-management.aspx

For further information please contact healthandsafety@sefton.gov.uk

    • Active Workforce is a Staff Health & Wellbeing Service, which offers opportunities to improve their health in and around the working day. The programme not only encourages staff to increase their activity levels but also offers opportunities to relieve stress and gain knowledge to help them achieve a healthier lifestyle. The activities range from Exercise Classes, Walking Groups, Monthly Challenge’s, Gym Memberships, Weight Management Courses, Sport Events, Health Seminars to Health Checks, Menopause Groups and a Book Club. All aspects of the programme can now be accessed virtually.  To find out details of the full programme, please visit www.activeseftonfitness.co.uk. To register for regular updates about what is on offer for you, please complete the Registration Form

    • It’s quite likely that we will need to accept a certain amount of distress and anxiety relating to the outbreak, in the short and medium term. If you have self-care techniques that work for you, try and make sure that you have what you need. You may need to think differently – for example doing exercise workouts online instead of attending classes. Active Sefton have a wide variety of free exercise classes on their You Tube Channel which can be accessed at any time. Active Workforce also offer 20 minute online Health Seminars including topics such as Stress, Sleep, Back Care and Menopause. You may also want to consider looking at mindfulness practice or finding ways to help others in your community. Self-compassion, and support for others is going to be very important. For access to the Health Seminars or Mindfulness, please email: active.workforce@sefton.gov.uk

    • Staff Health and Wellbeing Toolkit – Sefton Council’s Public Health Team and Communications have put together a Health and Wellbeing Toolkit to help staff navigate this unusual time.  The toolkit contains practical hints and tips whilst working at home, in the community and in the office. The document can be downloaded from here.
    •  
    • Gambling Awareness 
    •  
    • Beacon Counselling Trust (BCT) provide a free and confidential service to anyone at risk of or experiencing gambling related harms. This services operates across the North West of England.  BCT is a partner within the National Gambling Support Network offeringeducation, training, treatment and support. This includes support with self exclusion.FREE CONFIDENTIAL SPECIALIST SUPPORT. Contact: 0151 226 0696 or support@beaconcounsellingtrust.co.uk
    •  
    • National Gambling Helpline:  24/7 free national Gambling Helpline: 0808 8020 133
    •  
 

eLearning
Resources to Support Home Working

Useful
applications (please note some of these apps will charge but many are free)

    • Be
      Mindful       – you’ll complete 10 sessions lasting 30 minutes each that
      consist of video, meditation, audio and interactive exercises.

    • Sleepio – A online
      sleep improvement programme.

    • Hub
      of Hope       – A national mental health database for supporting help.

    • Feeling
      Good: Positive Mindset       – A series of audio tracks to help build
      confidence and promotes a positive mindset.

    • Chill
      Panda       – Learn to relax and manage your worries.

    • Beat
      Panic       – To guide people through a panic attack and anxiety.

    • distrACT
      –       Gives
      discreet access to information and advice about self-harm and suicidal
      thoughts.

Mental
Health Related Helplines

Access Sefton

A free, confidential service commissioned by the NHS. The service is available to anyone aged 16+
and registered with a Sefton* GP.

Website: https://www.everyturn.org/talking-therapies/

Phone: 0300
303 2708

Alcoholics Anonymous

Website:
www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk

Phone:
0845 769 7555

Anxiety UK

A
charity providing support if you’ve been diagnosed with an anxiety condition.

Website:www.anxietyuk.org.uk

Phone:
0344 477 5774

Beat

BEAT are the UK’s eating disorder charity. Founded in 1989 as the Eating Disorders Association, their mission is to end the pain and suffering caused by eating disorders.

Website: www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk

Phone:
(Adults) 0808 801 0677 (Under 18s) 0808 801 0711

Bipolar UK

A
charity helping people living with manic depression or bipolar disorder.

Website:
www.bipolaruk.org.uk

Cruse Bereavement Care

Website:
www.cruse.org.uk

Phone:
0808 808 1677

Kind to your Mind – 24/7 support phoneline

Website: https://kindtoyourmind.org/support-near-me/

Phone: 0151
330 7332 (Sefton Helpline – Merseycare) 0151
330 7332 (Children & Young People – Alder Hey Crisis Team) – 0151 293 3577

Listening Ear

A
telephone support line for ANY Council employee including ANYBODY who works in
a primary, or secondary school or an academy that is located within
Sefton.  Available Monday to Friday from
10am to 5pm.

Phone:
0800 048 5224

Mental Health
Foundation

Provides
information and support for anyone with mental health problems or learning
disabilities.

Website:
www.mentalhealth.org.uk

MIND

Promote
the views and needs of people with mental health problems.

Website:
www.mind.org.uk

Phone:
0300 123 3393

Men’s Health Forum

24/7
stress support for men by text, chat and email.

Website:
www.menshealthforum.org.uk

Narcotics Anonymous

Website:
www.ukna.org

Phone:
0300 999 1212

National Gambling
Helpline

Website:
www.begambleaware.org

Phone:
0808 802 0133

No Panic

A
charity that offers support for sufferers of panic attacks and obsessive
compulsive disorder (OCD).

Website:
www.nopanic.org.uk

Phone:
0844 967 4848

OCD Action

Support
for people with OCD.

Website:
www.ocdaction.org.uk

Phone:
0845 390 6232

Red Umbrella

Website:
www.red-umbrella.co.uk

Phone:
0300 002 0061

Rethink Mental Illness

Support
and advice for people living with Mental Illness.

Website:
www.rethink.org

Phone:
0300 500 0927

Relate

The
UKs largest provider of relationship support.

Website:
www.relate.org.uk

Samaritans

Confidential
support for people experiencing feelings of distress or despair.

Website:
www.samaritans.org.uk

Phone:
116 123 (free 24 hour helpline)

SANE

Emotional
support for people affected by mental illness, their families and carers.

Website:
www.sane.org.uk/support

Phone:
0300 304 7000

Textcare:
via text message when the person needs it most: www.sane.org.uk/textcare

Peer
support forum: www.sane.org.uk/supportforum

YoungMinds

Information
on child and adolescent mental health. 
Service for parents and professionals.

Website:
www.youngminds.org.uk

Phone:
(Parents helpline) 0808 802 5544

Mental
Health Reports and Websites

  •  

The online resources are for anyone living and
working in the Cheshire and Merseyside area and include apps, courses, podcasts
to support mental health and wellbeing https://kindtoyourmind.org/alma/ . There is also a wellbeing tool within this called
“Silvercloud” through which you can complete online courses around sleeping
better, easing stress and building resilience

Useful
Books

    • Devon, N. (2018) A
      Beginners Guide to Being Mental. Pan Macmillan London.

    • Hesketh, I. &
      Cooper, C. (2019) Wellbeing at Work. Kogan Page, London.

    • King, V. (2016) Keys to
      Happier Living.  Headline, London.

    • Lyubomirsky, S. (2007)
      The HOW of Happiness.  Piatkus, London.

    • Peters, S. (2018) My
      Hidden Chimp.  Bonnier Books, London.

    • Peter, D. (2012) The
      Chimp Paradox. Vermilion, London.

    • William, M &
      Penman, D (2011) Mindfulness; A practical Guide to Finding Peace in a Frantic
      World. Paitkus, London.

 

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Sefton Corporate Learning Centre
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