Health staff to get Covid-19 psychological support

All health and social care workers will be able to access one-to-one mental health support through a new national helpline, to help them deal with the psychological impact of coronavirus.

NHS and social care staff can now receive one to one psychological support as they deal with coronavirus.

The phone line, which will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, follows the launch of the National Wellbeing Hub for NHS and care staff launched in May and which has been accessed more than 30,000 times.

From today, trained practitioners at NHS 24 will offer callers “a compassionate and empathic listening service” as well as advice, signposting and onward referral to local services if required.

Scotland’s menal health minister Clare Haughey said: “I am deeply grateful for the hard work, commitment and professionalism of those working in health and social care services at this time of unprecedented challenge.

“Whatever your role and wherever you work, I would encourage you to make use of the many resources on the Hub, including advice on managing stress and anxiety, fatigue, sleep, relaxation and exercise. For those who need one-on-one support, the new mental wellbeing support line will be available around the clock to help staff access appropriate additional support.

“We are continuing to monitor the impact of the pandemic on our valued workforce and will do our best to ensure that appropriate support services are put in place to help them.”

Stephanie Phillips, Director of Service Delivery at NHS 24, added: "NHS 24 are delighted to support our partners by offering this helpline to complement existing services. Our Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners will respond with compassion and empathy to offer support whenever it's needed. Health and social care staff look after us – this is one way in which we are looking after them.

"We know that for everyone calling us, being listened to, and knowing that someone cares, is really important in difficult times. This is just as important to our health and social care colleagues as to those they care for.”

The confidential health and social care workforce mental wellbeing support line is on 0800 111 4191.

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