Put your mental health first – advice from NHS 24
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NHS 24 is encouraging people to prioritise their mental health this festive season.
With the Covid-19 pandemic continuing to impact people's lives during the festive season, the service says many people are feeling anxious and unsure of where to turn for support.
The team behind NHS Inform and the 111 service suggests some of the following resources.
Clear Your Head website
It’s natural to not feel yourself at times, and for anyone feeling that way, the Clear Your Head website has simple tips for anyone feeling down, as well as guides on what to do to support others. clearyourhead.scot
NHSinform.scot
Anyone in Scotland with a digital device and having problems with anger or stress, having trouble sleeping, or struggling to cope with challenging situations, can find support by answering a few simple questions through this guide, at nhsinform.scot/get-help-with-your-mental-wellbeing
During the summer of 2021, hundreds of visitors to NHSinform were directed to seek immediate telephone help while thousands more went on to self-directed care online using SilverCloud, a website with courses to improve mental wellbeing based on cognitive behavioural therapy.
An extensive range of mental wellbeing resources is available at www.nhsinform.scot/mental-wellbeing
NHSinform also has a number of resources for users of British Sign Language that cover mental health issues at www.nhsinform.scot/BSL
Breathing Space
Answering almost 9000 calls a month, the Breathing Space service continues to grow and evolve with the web chat service now offering online support.
Callers contact Breathing Space for a wide range of reasons, including relationship issues, stress, anxiety and suicidal thoughts. However, over the last year the service has seen an increase in issues such as bereavement, work and money worries, and loneliness.
Breathing Space’s trained advisors ensure that each call is treated with patience and respect, knowing that it can often be the first time that a caller has contacted the service or talked about a problem.
Breathing Space is available in the evenings (6pm to 2am weekdays) and 24 hours at the weekend (Fri 6pm to Mon 6am) on 0800 83 85 87. The web chat service can be accessed from www.breathingspace.scot
111
For those experiencing mental distress, the 111 Mental Health Hub is available 24 hours a day, seven days of the week by calling 111 and following the telephone prompts. Anyone may call. There is no upper or lower age limit.
The most common reasons for calling include thinking about suicide, anxieties, low mood, psychosis and self-harm. Where necessary, clinical support is offered and callers may be referred to local support services, community mental health teams or, exceptionally, emergency services.
This team can also help with medication issues.
