Mental health: Signposts and myth busting
You can download a pdf of these signposts and add in your own local information specific to your organisation for use in your offices, mess rooms and work sites.
Your local EAP provider
Your Employee Assistance Programme is open to all members of staff and is designed to help people with all kinds of practical and emotional issues such as Wellbeing, family matters, relationships, debt management, workplace issues, and much more.
Your Occupational Health team
Your OH team’s priority is your wellbeing at work. They can help support you accessing further services.
Their Local GP
For many of us, our local GP practice is the first place we go when we’re unwell (known as primary care). Your colleague’s doctor is there to help them with their mental health as well as their physical health.
Their Local IAPT Service
Improved Access to Psychological Therapies is an NHS service that provides talking therapies for common difficulties, like worry and low mood. People can self-refer to many IAPT services, or alternatively their GP can refer them. They can find their local IAPT through the NHS website: www.nhs.uk
Apt futures
Funded by the Department for Work and Pensions, Able Futures’ mental health professionals can give employees up to nine months mental health support free of charge, to help them cope with work while they manage a mental health condition.
Directory for local services
You can search the NHS directory for local mental health support services through the NHS website www.nhs.uk
The Construction Industry Helpline
Tel: 0345 605 1956
The Construction Industry Helpline provides a 24/7 safety net for all construction workers and their families in the UK and Ireland. It is a charitable service funded by the industry, for the industry and provides:
- Emergency financial aid to construction families in crisis
- Advice on occupational health and mental wellbeing
- Support on legal, tax and debt management matters
Samaritans:
Tel: 116 123
Samaritans offer a safe place for people to talk any time they like, in their own way – about whatever’s getting to them. 24/7 support for people who are in despair or suicidal.
Mind Infoline:
Tel: 0300 123 3393 (or text 86463)
Mind can provide information on a range of topics including types of mental health problem, where to get help, medication and alternative treatments.
The Railway Mission
The Railway Mission is a Christian charity whose chaplains can provide a listening ear for anyone connected with UK rail. You can find contact details for your local chaplain at www.railwaymission.org
It’s useful to be able to separate the facts from the myths when looking at mental health. Find out more about these mental health issues: