Published on:
20
May 2020
Clackmannanshire and Stirling Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) continues to prioritise the wellbeing of local health and care staff as the nation marks Mental Health Awareness Week.
Mental Health Awareness Week, which runs from 18th – 24th May 2020, highlights the need for everyone to look after their minds as well as their bodies.
This year’s theme is ‘kindness’, highlighting how vital it is that people continue to be kind to themselves and others in what can be worrying and anxious times.
The Covid-19 pandemic has created an unprecedented situation where the wellbeing of local health and care staff, along with the service users they support, is being tested like never before.
To help protect their mental health and support their wellbeing, the Clackmannanshire and Stirling HSCP has developed a range of support measures to help local staff, including:
- Daily huddle meetings to discuss any issues or concerns and offer peer support.
- Integrated Mental Health Services, with the assistance of Wellbeing Scotland, which now have additional capacity to assist both staff and service users.
- A range of services and support to support mental health and wellbeing, including telephone listening services, practical support or peer led virtual groups.
- Staff rest and welfare facilities.
- Information on external resources and contact details to help staff network with colleagues across the HSCP.
Mental Health Awareness Week offers a reminder for everyone that they can take simple steps to look after their mental health, improve their wellbeing and support others as lockdown continues.
Chief Officer for the Clackmannanshire and Stirling HSCP, Annemargaret Black, said: “The coronavirus pandemic and lockdown have been very challenging and people’s mental health will have been affected in many different ways.
“Our incredible staff are working in unprecedented circumstances and we understand the need to do all we can to support them as they care for people through the pandemic.
“They may be worried or anxious and the range of measures we have introduced ensures we are doing all we can to help local staff cope. Our partner organisations are also supporting those affected by offering additional mental health support and sharing information on the support available across our local communities and health and care services.
“It is vital that we all do everything we can to support our own mental health and also look out for friends and loved ones.
“To support this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week theme of kindness we would encourage people to show a little kindness of their own as this can make a big difference to someone’s mental health and wellbeing.
“Simple acts can keep people connected, like a call to a friend or arranging a virtual cup of tea, helping reduce stress and making people feel better. Being kind to others lifts the spirits of those who receive acts of kindness and makes people feel good.”