Mental Wellbeing
Mental health and wellbeing is about how we think and feel. Good mental health and wellbeing helps us enjoy life and cope well with life’s challenges.
Our mental health and wellbeing goes up and down. It can be affected by life events including work stress or problems with family or friends.
It is normal to feel happy when something good happens, feel angry or sad when something bad happens, or to be scared or anxious if something is worrying you. Part of keeping good mental health is being aware of the difference between your normal emotions and feelings, and those that you may need extra support with for example major life events
Its okay not to be okay, and sometimes a little extra support can make a difference. See below a range of options to help you
The Staff Psychological Services is here to ensure that staff can access support to help optimise their wellbeing. All support is strictly confidential. and self-referrals are accepted.
1:1 support
Short term interventions (1-3 sessions), staff can also be directed to self helps resources, on line computerised programs and apps that might also be useful. This service can be accessed by leaving a message on the phone line- 01387 241 303 or emailing dg.mhstaffsupport@nhs.scot
Longer term Psychological therapy – can be accessed directly via email on: dg.gp-psychology-service@nhs.scot This service was initially established for GPs and Practice Staff and is now available to wider groups of staff.
Most people experience grief when they lose something or someone important to them. If these feelings are affecting your life, there are things you can try that may help as well as advice and support available
Website: nhs.uk/grief-bereavement-loss
Chaplains provide non-judgmental listening and, when appropriate, gentle guidance to support the spiritual, emotional, and relational well-being of individuals and teams. Chaplains can meet, in-person or virtually, to help with wide variety of issues including stress and burnout. Support is available to everyone including staff, patients, or loved ones, regardless of what religion, spirituality, or value system they believe or don’t believe in. We’re here to help and support you.
To learn more or to schedule, please contact us at:
01387 246 246 Ext. 31544
Wellbeing action plans are a helpful way to consider your wellbeing at work. They are personalised, practical tools that everyone can use– whether we have a mental health problem or not – to help identify ways to keep well at work, causes affecting mental wellbeing as well addressing a mental health problem at work should you be experiencing one.
The following links provide templates that might be useful for you as a person or as a tool that you could use as a manager with an employee:
NES Education for Scotland Wellbeing Tool
Guide for employees: Wellness Action Plans (WAPs) How to support your mental health at work
Distress and Crisis brings unpleasant emotions, feelings and thoughts. The triggers for Distress/Crisis can vary but can often be significant occurrences in a person’s life e.g. incidents which are unexpected and cause alarm, trauma, life altering circumstances, tragic news.
Support for self
If you are struggling then help is available. Speaking to someone can make a difference, whether it’s a friend, colleague, helpline, through your GP or professional mental health support. Check out the various support options available here (link back to mental wellbeing tab).
If you feeling extremely distressed or suicidal and do not feel that you can keep yourself safe then you should call 999 or go straight to A&E. If the crisis is not life threatening then call your GP or NHS 24 on 111
Support for others
We can all play a role at supporting people around us.
Those experiencing distress/crisis often struggle to think clearly, communicate their feelings, or listen well to advice.
Look out for someone presenting with the following:
- In a state of anxiety/panic
- Unable to cope or to be in control of their situation, or to look after others in their care
- Expression of suicidal thoughts.
NOTE: A person does not need to have previous poor mental health to experience distress/crisis.
There are things you can do to help. Offer time on a one-to-one basis to engage in confidential conversations.
Ensure that the person knows that you are not a professional and may need to signpost for more appropriate support.
If you are concerned for an individual’s immediate safety, do not leave the individual alone and call 999 immediately
View the Samaritans Shush Listening Tips to help support your conversation.
The Art of Conversation is also a useful guide to listening and talking about suicide.
The Prevent Suicide D&G app (link) provides information on support, services and a space to develop a safety plan. The app is downloadable on most smart phones.
**Responding to Distress** Protocol coming soon
Useful Apps (some costs apply)
An app with local organisation details, information and a space to develop a safety plan
Download the App:
SilverCloud is a completely confidential internet-based system that provides tailored programs to support with mental health using different types of easy to use, interactive content and tools. Will help to learn new ways to approach challenges. Designed to be flexible and fit with your schedule
Login – SilverCloud (silvercloudhealth.com)
Through science-backed meditation and mindfulness tools, Headspace helps you create life-changing habits to support your mental health and find a healthier, happier you.
A smart phone based app that provides help to symptoms of worry and anxiety using CBT techniques, voice and animation