Mental Health and Wellbeing

Looking after colleagues' Mental Health is essential. Working in the NHS can be incredibly rewarding however it can also be challenging. The operational pressures, exposure to high-stress situations and potentially traumatic experiences mean that colleagues must give time to their mental health and wellbeing.

Who to talk to?

Support for colleagues

Colleagues can talk to VIVUP about any worries they have whether home or work-related, or both.

A free telephone helpline is available 24/7, 365 days a year - call 0330 380 0658.

Counselling - free for colleagues

Counselling is free for colleagues and this is accessed by initially calling VIVUP 0330 380 0658 where the options will be discussed including the option to see a counsellor in person on-site.

Counselling - free for all (including family, friends, the public and patients)

If you live in England and are aged 18 or over, you can access NHS talking therapy services for anxiety and depression.

You can refer yourself directly without a referral or your GP can refer you.

NHS talking therapies services offer:

• talking therapies, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), counselling, other therapies, and guided self-help,
• help for common mental health problems, like anxiety and depression.

Find an NHS talking therapies services - NHS.

Clinical Psychology - free for colleagues

Where colleagues feel that the support they require is greater than that provided either by the Wellbeing VIVUP they should discuss access to the Clinical Psychology Service for colleagues. Our Clinical Psychologist can see colleagues who are experiencing emotional distress or mental health difficulties related to their work, such as anxiety, depression, or traumatic experiences due to events that have happened at work.

For more information and referral criteria see the Clinical Psychology webpage.

Free Resources

Headspace Mindfulness App

Headspace Mindfulness App is free for NHS staff with an NHS email address until 31 March 2025.

Alongside access to the app content, you can join the Headspace team for a little bit of calm. Each month, a Headspace teacher hosts a live meditation and Q&A that’ll help clear your mind and cultivate mindfulness.  Every quarter, coaches, therapists, and meditation teachers offer an hour-long workshop on mental health topics like building connections, navigating grief, and sleeping soundly. To view upcoming events, use your Headspace NHS log in and sign up.