Sometimes our thoughts and feelings can overwhelm us.  If you are starting to feel overwhelmed, it’s important to acknowledge your feelings and speak openly and honestly about your mental health.

Talking is one of the first steps to improving mental health.  Speak to someone you trust whether that’s a friend, colleague or a family member, or a helpline – there are lots of support options open to you like the one’s below.

Our Employee Assistance Programme

Contact Our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) on 0800 111 6387. This support  is  provided by Vita Health Group, is available to help make life easier, whether the issue is personal or work-related.

Lanarkshire mind matters

NHS Lanarkshire Adult Psychology Services runs the  Lanarkshire mind matters support with the aim of linking you to mental health information, advice and help, wherever you live in Lanarkshire north or south.

Scotland’s national mental health charity

Contact SAMH  on 01698 265659 (Motherwell Office) or 01236 439418 (Airdrie office)

Breathing SpaceContact 

Breathing Space  on 0800 83 85 87

NHS Staff Care and Wellbeing team (available to Health and Social Care colleagues)

The Staff Care and Wellbeing team provide spiritual care and wellbeing to any staff who work in health and social care across the NLC and the NHS.  Find out more here.

The 24 hour helpline number is 01698 752000 and email is staffcare@lanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk .

Check out the The Staff Care and Wellbeing Twitter account @StaffCareNHSL.

Education Support

Contact  Education Support on 08000 562 561.  Its the the only UK charity dedicated to supporting the mental health and wellbeing of teachers.

Not a big talker? Check out the going home checklist

It’s good to talk. Peer and social support are often the best buffers against stress and adversity.  It’s good to talk, but not everyone are ‘talkers’. That’s OK too but make sure you give yourself space to process the events of the day and deal with your feelings. 

The going home checklist can really help with doing that.

  • Take a moment to think about today.
  • Acknowledge three things that were difficult. Let them go.
  • Consider three things that went well.
  • Choose an action that signals the end of your shift.
  • Now switch your attention to home.
  • How will you rest and recharge?