Mental Health

One in four adults will deal with a mental health issue each year. We recognise that working for the NHS may be physically, emotionally, and mentally demanding and that the mental health of our staff matters.

We are dedicated to making sure that staff have the support they need at work.

How can I maintain my mental health?

Everybody needs to take care of their mental health on a regular basis.

Perhaps you've thought about joining a gym in order to look after your physical well-being. 

What daily activities do you perform to take care of your mental health? 

The NHS Every Mind Matters website offers individualised action plans, useful recommendations, and professional assistance with mental health.

What mental health support is available at NUH

What mental health services are available at NUH?

NON-URGENT SUPPORT

What mental health services are available outside of NUH?

Urgent Support
 

Call 999 or go to the emergency department in the event of a life-threatening situation.

For non-emergency medical advice that is urgent, dial NHS 111.
More information about 111.

People of all ages, including children, who are in crisis or concerned family and loved ones can now call 111, select the mental health option and speak to a trained mental health professional. NHS staff can guide callers with next steps such organising face-to-face community support or facilitating access to alternatives services, such as crisis cafés or safe havens which provide a place for people to stay as an alternative to A&E or a hospital admission

Nottinghamshire Mental Health Crisis Line
Open 24/7 to assist anyone in immediate need or crisis. Call 0808 196 3779.

Shout Text Service

A free and confidential mental health text service for healthcare staff. Text FRONTLINE to  85258  for support 24/7.

Nottinghamshire Crisis Sanctuaries

Nottingham Crisis Sanctuaries offer a free service and here to offer support, information and guidance to anyone 18 years or older in or nearing a mental health crisis. Call  0330 822 4100  for support.

The drop-in services are totally free and you do not have to call before attending. The phone number is charged at local rates, the team can call you back so that you don’t incur extra charges if that is what you would prefer. 

Open hours are from 4pm till 11pm every day of the year seven nights a week.

Samaritans

If you need to talk to someone the Samaritans are always available to help if you need to chat with someone, 24/7. Call free on  116 123. You can also email  jo@samaritans.org  although it may take a few days to receive a response.

SANEline (Out of hours support)

SANEline is a national out-of-hours mental health helpline offering specialist emotional support, guidance and information to anyone affected by mental illness, including family, friends and carers. They are normally open every day of the year from  4pm to 10pm  on  0300 304 7000.

Non urgent support 

See your GP

You can book an emergency appointment if your symptoms are serious. They may offer you treatments like talking therapy, medication, or different treatment options.

Self-refer to a psychological talking therapies service 

They offer therapies like cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for common problems like stress, anxiety, depression, OCD, and phobias. Find your local service.

Nottinghamshire Talking Therapies offer self-referrals over the phone on  0333 188 1060, or you can email them at notts.iapt.admin@notts-talk.co.uk.

Frontline 19 Counselling

Frontline19 is an independent UK nationwide service delivering psychological support to the NHS.

They can ensure you get the right help quickly and easily. It’s confidential, and it’s free.

  • They will match you with a fully qualified professional and pass them your details.
  • They currently have a waiting list due to high demand. You will be notified of this time once registered.
  • They will contact you by your preferred method, (Such as WhatsApp, Email, Phone call or Zoom) and arrange 8-12 sessions with you.
  • They will try and work around your shifts where possible.
  • They provide a safe place to listen to you and provide emotional support where appropriate.

Nott Alone

The  Nott Alone  website provides local mental health advice and help for people in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, all in one place. This includes information for adults as well as for children and young people.
It includes information and signposting around the following topics:

I’m worried about a colleague; what should I do?

  1. Talk to them. Ask how they are feeling. You don’t need to be an expert, and you don’t need to have all the answers, but showing that you are willing to listen can make a significant difference.
  2. If you’re not sure what to say: Have a look at the advice from Mind on ‘How to support a colleague’ and Samaritans on  ‘How to have a difficult conversation’. Also, encourage them to look at this page so that they are aware of the support available.
  3. If you think that someone may be in mental health crisis: Get urgent help for mental health.

Free NHS Access to Mental Health Apps

Wisdom App

Sometimes, it can be difficult to balance the pressures of everyday personal and professional responsibilities, and when daily life feels overwhelming, Wisdom is here to help you.

Wisdom is an industry-leading and expert wellbeing app from Health Assured that is free for NUH staff and allows users to manage and resolve mental, financial, social, and legal concerns that are impacting their mental health.

You can  download the Wisdom app  on both Android and iPhone and log in using our organisation code and your NHS email address.

Organisation code:  MHA089937.

Unmind

Unmind is a mental health platform that empowers staff to proactively improve their mental wellbeing. Using scientifically backed assessments, tools and training you can measure and manage your personal mental health needs, including digital programmes designed to help with stress, sleep, coping, connection, fulfilment and nutrition.

Get unlimited access to wellbeing resources for the next year until 31st  December 2025.  To sign up to Unmind, use your NHS email account. 

 

Stay Alive

The  Stay Alive app, developed by  Grassroots Suicide Prevention, is a suicide prevention resource, packed full of useful information and tools to help you stay safe in crisis. You can use it if you are having thoughts of suicide or if you are concerned about someone else who may be considering suicide.

The app includes:

  • A safety plan with customisable reasons for living
  • A LifeBox where you can store photos and memories that are important to you
  • Strategies for staying safe and tips on how to stay grounded when you’re feeling overwhelmed
  • Guided-breathing exercises and an interactive Wellness Plan

The app also links you directly to local and national crisis resources, with space to add in your own as well.

How does NUH show its commitment to staff mental health?

NUH is an Equal Opportunities Employer

This means that we recruit, train and support our staff on the basis of their skills and experience. We do not discriminate against staff on the basis of a mental or physical disability.

NUH has signed the  Time to Change Workforce pledge  

We pledge to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health issues at work. Organisations who take the Pledge and put their Action Plan in place have found that employees report feeling more supported about issues concerning mental health, are more willing to disclose their personal lived experience, and are more confident about making managers and colleagues aware of their experience.

NUH is a Mindful Employer

This means that we take an active and positive approach to mental health and we have information packs for staff on staying mentally healthy at work and for managers on supporting staff experiencing mental health problems.

Policies

Several of our policies support staff mental health and take a proactive and preventative approach, including the Flexible Working Policy and the Wellbeing and Attendance Management Policy.

Staff Mental Health Shared Governance Council 

This is a team of NUH front-line staff from a variety of professions and banding levels that are passionate about improving staff mental health and making long-term, sustainable changes within the Trust. To find out more, contact the staff wellbeing team at  nuhnt.staffwellbeing@nhs.net.

Charter for Employers Positive About Mental Health

As an employer we recognise that in the UK, people experiencing mental ill health continue to report stigma and discrimination at work. Having signed the "Charter for Employers Positive about Mental Health", we are committed to creating a supportive and open culture, where colleagues feel able to talk about mental health confidently, and aspire to appropriately support the mental wellbeing of all staff.

As an employer, we have made an ongoing commitment to:
  • Provide non-judgemental and proactive support to staff experiencing mental ill health.
  • Not make assumptions about a person with a mental health condition and their ability to work.
  • Be positive and enabling towards all employees and job applicants with a mental health condition.
  • Support line managers in managing mental health in the workplace.
    Ensure we are fair in the recruitment of new staff in accordance with the Equality act (2010).
  • Make it clear that people who have experienced mental ill health will not be discriminated against, and that disclosure of a mental health problem will enable both the employee and employer to assess and provide the right level of support or adjustment.

First Signed: 10th July 2009
Last Reviewed: 23rd August 2022
Neil Pease, Chief People Officer