Local workplace support from NHS Western Isles for staff mental health

As part of NHS Western Isles’ Healthy Working Lives (HWL) programme, which continues to bolster and improve positive health, safety and wellbeing information in the workplace, over 100 staff from a range of local employers in the Western Isles have received Mentally Healthy Workplace awareness sessions.  This is in addition to almost 20 managers receiving bespoke mental health management training – all training having been delivered since January this year.

With NHS24 reporting a massive 580 per cent rise in calls to them for a mental health concern in the years between 2019 and 2022, it is clear that people need all the support they can access. The legacy of the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing cost of living crisis has been and continues to be challenging for many people’s well-being, but an increase in demand for mental health support at this level is alarming.

In response to this, the training sessions have been delivered to a number of local workplaces including Hebridean Housing Partnership, Highlands & Islands Enterprise, Western Isles Volunteer Centre and BASF, with each enabling their staff the opportunity to attend a 1-hour basic mental health awareness session, looking at signs and symptoms of poor mental health, identifying their areas of pressure, and looking at supportive coping mechanisms.

Colum Durkan, NHS Western Isles Director of Public Health, said: “Managers were provided with a more in-depth session looking at how they can support their staff and ensure that their policies and practices are not discriminating against staff who may have a mental health issue.”

Participants feedback included, “I have a better understanding of the fluid state of mental health and can be more understanding to people’s situations”, “(I will) watch out for mental health symptoms in myself and my colleagues.”, and “(Recognising the) importance of communicating with senior staff over issues causing stress.”

The Mentally Healthy Workplace training is delivered regularly throughout the Western Isles and if your workplace is interested in receiving the training, please contact Norma Macleod, NHS Western Isles Health Improvement Officer, by emailing: norma.macleod1@nhs.scot

Photograph of recently held Mentally Healthy Workplace training at BASF Pharma at Callanish, on Lewis.