We’re living through unfamiliar times right now and the coronavirus outbreak has changed how we live day to day.
If you feel confused, stressed or anxious at some point, you’re not alone.
It is important to not only look after your physical health but also your mental health. There are many organisations that can help both online and by phone.
Online Support
Clear Your Head
This national website for Scotland has a focus on wellbeing and everyday feelings of concern due to coronavirus. It has been created in partnership with Healthier Scotland, NHS Scotland, Breathing Space and Samaritans Scotland.
Whether you have been directly affected by the virus, or are struggling to cope with the restrictions, it is important to look after both your physical and mental health. The tips on this site can help. Clearyourhead.scot
Together Let’s Care for your Mental Health
You're not alone with your mental health
NHS inform has a lot of resources to help with your mental health, whether you're looking for advice, information, local support, or ideas for improving your wellbeing.
Remember, your mental health is just as important as your physical health.Information is also available for a range of day to day concerns such as anxiety, depression, young people's mental health needs, alcohol, gambling and drug use as well as COVID-19 specific information.
www.nhsinform.scot/youmatterwecare
Mental Health from NHSinform
Advice on dealing with low mood, anxiety, phobias, stress and where to get help or find support groups. Information available 24/7/365 for people to explore in their own time. www.NHSinform.scot/mentalhealth
Scotland’s Service Directory
Through Scotland's Service Directory you can find the names, addresses, opening times and service details for thousands of health and wellbeing services in Scotland, from the NHS, community groups and charity sectors. Includes online, telephone and in-person services for a very wide range of health and social concerns. https://www.nhsinform.scot/scotlands-service-directory
Perinatal mental health
Advice on health and wellbeing, including relationships and mental health is available at NHS inform, Ready, Steady, Baby https://www.nhsinform.scot/ready-steady-baby/
The Women and Families Maternal Mental Health Pledge was developed by women with lived experience and sets out expectations around perinatal mental health care. There is more information at NHSinform. https://www.nhsinform.scot/care-support-and-rights/health-rights/mental-health/women-and-families-maternal-mental-health-pledge
The Perinatal and Infant Mental Health Third Sector Service Directory is a repository of PIMH services across Scotland which can be filtered by area or service required:Perinatal and Infant Mental Health Third Sector Service Directory - Inspiring Scotland
Children, young people and families
Access to school counselling will be available for all children and young people aged 10 and over, please speak to your school or contact your local authority to find out how to access this service.
Solihull Online is a resource which provides additional support for parents, children and young people, aimed at improving parent-child relationships, managing problematic behaviour and promoting positive mental health. Free online access is available for every parent in Scotland with a child between 0-19 years old. It will allow for a 24 month registration period plus lifetime access after that. You can access it by going to: https://inourplace.heiapply.com/online-learning/ and entering the code word “tartan”.
Parent Club also provides advice and guidance on parenting from pregnancy onwards as well as some specific COVID-19 content including a specific focus on mental health and emotional wellbeing. https://www.parentclub.scot/
Emotional wellbeing – Aye Feel
https://young.scot/campaigns/national/aye-feel
Aye Feel was launched in May 2020 and is a live resource that is actively updated based on what young people tell us they need and in response to the changing restrictions and guidance around Covid-19.
This ensures that children and young people are provided with the most up to date information and advice.
Most recently Aye Feel has provided advice and guidance in relation to the new Christmas restrictions, along with their continued mental health advice and signposting.
Telephone support options:
Breathing Space – phone and web chat
A free, confidential, phone service for anyone in Scotland over the age of 16 experiencing low mood, depression or anxiety.
Opening hours: Weekdays: Monday-Thursday 6pm to 2am
Weekend: Friday 6pm-Monday 6am
Helpline number: 0800 83 85 87
https://breathingspace.scot/
NHS 24 Mental Health Hub at 111
The Mental Health Hub is available 24 hours a day, 7 days of the week for those in need of urgent psychological or emotional support. Call 111 and follow the telephone prompts.
A team of Psychological Well-being Practitioners (PWPs) and Mental Health Nurses assess individual callers to the Mental Health Hub 111 service. There are a number of possible outcomes, the majority of calls are resolved without the need for any onward referral.
PWPs are specially trained staff who are expertly supported by Mental Health Senior Charge Nurses and Mental Health Nurse Practitioners.
The Mental Health Hub also have a direct referral Pathway to the Distress Brief Intervention (DBI) programme, which complements the regional expansion of DBI at a local level. NHS24 Mental Health Hub staff may offer this pathway for those who contact them in distress from anywhere across Scotland. DBI provides an ‘ask once - get help fast’ early intervention for people:
aged 16 years and over
in distress/emotional pain
who do not need urgent medical or clinical treatment
The programme provides support for people within 24hrs of referral to problem solving, wellness and distress management planning for a period of up to 14 days and connections to local supports, where required. NHS24 will continue to use the current clinical pathways for those who require a clinical response. This enables more people across Scotland to benefit from the connected compassionate support DBI has created. For further information, see www.dbi.scot
Health and Social Care staff - helpline and promis website
Helpline
A new national mental wellbeing support line is now available for everyone working in health and social care services. It is a compassionate listening service which you can access whenever you need it – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, by calling 0800 111 4191
The National Wellbeing Helpline is operated by NHS 24.
Online hub
If you work in health or social services in Scotland then this site is for you. Individuals, managers, all staff in health and social care services and some third sector organisations can access appropriate advice and support. Money worries, PPE, childcare, supporting staff and self-care – there are resources for all these topics and more.
https://www.promis.scot/
Different ways to access Breathing Space and NHS 24 on 111
Language Line
If English isn't your first or preferred language, you can use the free interpretation service https://www.nhs24.scot/get-in-touch/language-line.
British Sign Language (BSL)
If you use British Sign Language (BSL), you can use the free BSL interpreting video relay service https://contactscotland-bsl.org/
Relay UK
If you use a textphone you can contact NHS 24 on 18001 111
Or, you can contact NHS 24 with the Relay UK app http://www.relayuk.bt.com/
Coronavirus (COVID-19): mental health - transition and recovery plan
This summary document highlights the Scottish Government’s key commitments to respond to the mental health impacts of COVID-19 as set out in the full plan.
https://www.gov.scot/publications/mental-health-scotlands-transition-recovery-summary/