On World Suicide Prevention Day COSLA Health and Social Care Spokesperson @cllrStu is urging people to join the United to Prevent Suicide campaign – https://unitedtopreventsuicide.org.uk
Anyone struggling can find support from: Samaritans – 116 123
This week Edinburgh Police have been holding partnership outreach information events in an attempt to provide information on the support that is available to people affected by suicide and to highlight the importance of talking about suicide.
Yesterday at Cameron Toll Shopping Centre we were delighted once more to see so many organisations come together.
An inaugural wellbeing tournament on Saturday 11th September will mark Musselburgh Golf Club’s first steps to becoming a mentally healthy golf club.
Teaming up with two mental health organisations, NHS 24’s Breathing Space service and the charity Samaritans, alongside partners Network Rail, the Club aims to drive conversations to support better mental health locally.
Stuart Wright, Captain of Musselburgh Golf Club, said: “Just as we have physical health, we all have mental health too. As a club we recognise that golf can connect people and have tremendous benefits to our wellbeing.
This past year has been a challenging time for so many – we want to ensure our club members and the wider community feel supported. By developing a Wellbeing Strategy and hosting a series of events, training and other activities over the year we hope to make mental health a priority at the club. We’re looking forward to hosting our very first Wellbeing Tournament.”
The Wellbeing Tournament takes a three ball format and will raise awareness of the support provided by mental health services such as Breathing Space and Samaritans. The Tournament coincides with World Suicide Prevention Day on 10th September.
Tony McLaren, Breathing Space National Coordinator, said: “Musselburgh Golf Club is doing a tremendous job in taking forward this mental wellbeing agenda.
“The Wellbeing Tournament will provide an opportunity to unveil a special ‘Take some Breathing Space’ bench at the clubhouse, offering members and the wider community a place to connect and reflect. We hope that the important work they are doing can be replicated by other clubs in the future.”
Over the coming months, ‘Learn to Listen’ workshops will be delivered by Samaritans’ Edinburgh branch to club staff and members to improve listening skills and develop SHUSH listening tips to listen effectively to others.
This will be complemented by wellbeing talks from Breathing Space with the aim of removing the stigma sometimes associated with mental ill-health.
Rachel Cackett, Executive Director of Samaritans Scotland, said: “Musselburgh Golf Club’s commitment to supporting and promoting mental and emotional wellbeing is a fantastic example of how sports and community groups can play a leading role in supporting open conversations about mental health and fostering meaningful connections.
“The Wellbeing Tournament and wider activity at the club is one of many examples where Samaritans, supported by Network Rail and a range of partners like Breathing Space, are working with local communities to champion mental health & wellbeing and ensure that more people know they don’t have to face difficult times alone.
“We’re are delighted to be able to support Musselburgh in their journey towards becoming a mentally health golf club through initiatives like our Learn to Listen workshops and we hope that their commitment will inspire other clubs across Scotland to consider how they can champion mental health and wellbeing within their communities.”
Minister for Mental Wellbeing & Social Care Kevin Stewart said: “Mental health and wellbeing is everyone’s business, so I welcome the partnership approach being taken by Breathing Space, Musselburgh Golf Club, Samaritans and Network Rail in running this wellbeing golfing event and installing the Breathing Space bench.
“This helps remind us all of the value of looking after our own wellbeing and caring for family, friends and colleagues. My message is simple – we shouldn’t be afraid to talk about how we are feeling.
“This event is an excellent way to combine sport and improving mental wellbeing. I hope that, over the coming years, many members and visitors to the club will find the Breathing Space bench a useful place to gather their thoughts, and to take time to reflect.”
During the pandemic, patients have been seen and treated based on their clinical urgency and we will continue to do so whilst we remobilise our NHS.
Patients are being classified in the following groups:
Priority Level 1a Emergency – operation needed within 24 hours
Priority Level 1b Urgent – operation needed within 72 hours
Priority Level 2 Surgery – scheduled within 4 weeks
Priority Level 3 Surgery – scheduled within 12 weeks
Priority Level 4 Surgery – may be safely scheduled after 12 weeks
NHS Scotland is working hard to increase the services available as safely and as quickly as possible. Clinicians and Clinical Experts are continuously reviewing how they deliver services to provide additional appointments to support your care.
About your appointment
It is important to attend your appointment or to let us know if you no longer need to attend.
Make sure you read any information provided in advance of your appointment so you know what to expect and can make the relevant preparations.
Keeping an eye on your condition
It is important to attend your appointment or to let us know if you no longer need to attend.
Make sure you read any information provided in advance of your appointment so you know what to expect and can make the relevant preparations.
Self Help
If you require further advice on your condition, please contact the hospital team you are awaiting an appointment with.
If your condition or symptoms worsen while waiting, you should contact your GP Practice.
Your local pharmacist or a trained member of the pharmacy team can give you advice and provide over-the-counter medicine if needed.
Call NHS 24 on 111 for further advice on managing symptoms.
If you consider your condition or symptoms to be life-threatening, then you should call 999 immediately.
Other Support
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, or that your mental health and well-being has been affected by the delay in your treatment, you can call:
NHS 24 on 111, 24 hours a day, and select the Mental Health option from the telephone prompts
Breathing space on 0800 83 85 87 is open weekdays Monday-Thursday, 6am to 2am, and weekends Friday 6pm to Monday 6am
Living Life on 0800 328 9655 is open Monday-Friday 1pm to 9pm
Duke of Cambridge calls in at Spartans to talk mental health
Duke visits Spartans FC to hear about positive impact of the Heads Up ‘Mentally Healthy Football’ declaration in Scotland
Scotland’s spot-kick hero David Marshall joins Duke and other Home Nations players in zoom conversation on mental health
Mental Health League players engage in shooting drill with Duke and former Scotland international Steven Thompson
Spartans FC received a royal visitor yesterday when the Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, paid a visit to Pilton to hear about the progress made in putting mental health and wellbeing at the forefront of the game in Scotland.
The trip to Spartans was the Duke’s first stop on his visit to Scotland, and saw him meet with representatives from the Scottish FA, Breathing Space, Time to Tackle, the Hampden Sports Clinic and Bonnyrigg Rose to discuss the range of mental health initiatives running in Scottish football.
With the visit also coming on the eve of the Scottish Cup Final, the Duke met with former Scottish Cup winners Chris Iwelumo and Marvin Bartley, who previously won the Scottish Cup with tomorrow’s finalists St Johnstone and Hibs respectively.
David McPhee, Chair of the Scottish Mental Health and Wellbeing League, spoke with the Duke as they took in some action from small-sided matches featuring players from the League.
The League, which was previously run by the Scottish FA, was set up to support recovery and tackle stigma associated with mental health.
A number of the Mental Health and Wellbeing League players then helped the Duke test his shooting skills, as he took part in a friendly skills challenge with them and former Scotland striker Steven Thompson.
Scotland’s spot-kick hero David Marshall then joined the Duke and other Home Nations players in a zoom conversation to discuss changing the conversation on mental health and their experiences over the past year.
Also taking part in the catch-up ahead of UEFA EURO 2020 were Harry Kane for England, Julie Nelson for Northern Ireland, and Jess Fishlock MBE for Wales.
The plan, which supports the Royal Foundation’s Heads Up mental health campaign, aims to end the stigma around the issue in football and create an environment for people to talk openly about their mental health in the game.
The Duke learned of the success of the Scottish FA’s mental health e-learning platform, which has seen more than 9,000 players, staff, managers and officials in the Scottish football community complete mental health awareness training through the platform in less than a year.
This commitment saw governing bodies, leagues and organisations from across UK football join in recognising that mental health is as important as physical health, and pioneering a ‘team approach’ on this important issue.
OVER 1 MILLION calls have now been handled by Breathing Space, Scotland’s mental health phone service, since it began in 2002.
The milestone is being marked on this year’s National Breathing Space Day, the annual awareness date, which takes place on 1st February.
With over 9,000 calls to Breathing Space each month the service continues to grow and evolve with the introduction of a new pilot webchat service now offering online support.
Tony McLaren, Breathing Space National Coordinator, said: “Our Advisors work hard to ensure that every caller receives a caring and compassionate response. Sometimes, just being listened to can make all the difference to how someone is feeling.
“This last year has been particularly challenging, and anyone can find themselves in a position where they might need help with their mental health.
“Breathing Space Day encourages people in Scotland to take some time out for activities which improve mental wellbeing, such as enjoying nature, exercising or maintaining connections with others.”
The event also highlights the range of support available from the Breathing Space helpline and webchat service, which provides free, confidential, listening and advice for anyone who is experiencing low mood, anxiety or distress in their lives.
Mental Health Minister Clare Haughey said: “Looking after our mental health and wellbeing is just as important as looking after our physical health. That message is especially relevant at the moment, given the current restrictions in place to protect us from the COVID-19 virus.
“Breathing Space continue to do vital work to support people across Scotland who are feeling low, stressed or anxious. That’s why last Spring we provided an additional £500,000 to help expand their capacity to offer compassionate support to many more people.
“Today’s milestone of handling over one million calls is a remarkable achievement – I would urge anyone who is experiencing low mood, anxiety or distress in their lives to get in touch with the service through the helpline or by looking at the range of helpful advice on the Breathing Space website.
“I also echo Breathing Space’s call to encourage people to take time out to do something they enjoy, within the restrictions – such as keeping in contact with friends and family, and taking some daily physical activity where possible.”
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.
Sometimes, when people call they’re not sure why they’re phoning or find it difficult to speak. This is where the experience of the Advisors can help, giving callers the space to think and talk when they are ready.
The message from Breathing Space is that it’s important to support your mental health through activities such as exercise and relaxation, particularly during these times of heightened stress and anxiety.
And if you’re worried or feeling down, please get in touch for some ‘breathing space’.
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.
NHS 24 reminds us that kindness matters during Mental Health Awareness Week:
NHS 24 is taking time during Mental Health Awareness Week to remind those who might need some support of their Breathing Space service, and the importance of being kind to yourself.
Breathing Space is a free, confidential phone and web based service for people in Scotland experiencing low mood, depression or anxiety. The service offers a friendly ear while also providing professional support to those who might need it.
Tony McLaren, National Coordinator of Breathing Space, says: “We all need support from time to time, and it’s really important to remind ourselves that it’s ok to ask someone for help.
“Sometimes we can feel a bit stuck- you might think that others appear to be coping well, so why do I feel I am struggling? It’s worth remembering if you aren’t comfortable speaking to friends or family, you can ask for help on the phone as well. Our advisors will give you time to open up, should you be experiencing distress in your life.
‘Please don’t feel you have to wait until things are very bad to get in touch. Our service is there to provide space to think about why you might be feeling anxious or low. At this time it’s important to look after our mental health, and remind ourselves that kindness matters.”
Advice on looking after your mental health during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak is now available on NHS inform, Scotland’s trusted health information site.
As people across Scotland adjust to these unusual circumstances, NHS 24’s mental health practitioners anticipate many will experience anxiety and stress about what’s going on in the world. In particular, those living alone or who are self-isolating, may be struggling with limited social contact as a result of social distancing measures.
NHS 24 Medical Director, Dr Laura Ryan, said: “Everyone deals with this type of situation differently, and it may feel like there is a lot going on which is outside of your control.
“Remember it’s ok, not to feel ok. Understandably, you may need some additional mental health support at this challenging time. Don’t forget that we’re all in this together and that support is available from a wide range of organisations to help you get through this.”
The NHS inform website hosts the national information service for COVID-19 and now provides online information and practical advice on mental wellbeing – www.nhsinform.scot/coronavirus-mental-wellbeing
Guidance is centred on four main areas:
Staying informed – having the right information, as news from unreliable sources can make you feel more upset and anxious.
Creating a healthy home routine – helping everyone in your home to keep a sense of calm and order.
Staying connected – keeping in touch with friends and family online or by phone, to help you feel less alone while staying home.
Finding support – just talking to someone can help, phonelines such as Breathing Space and Samaritans are there to offer support.
Breathing Space National Coordinator, Tony McLaren, said: “We are receiving lots of calls to the Breathing Space helpline from people feeling anxious about their health, or concerned about the health of others.
“It’s perfectly understandable to feel this way, and our advisors are here to listen and offer support. Having mental health information available on NHS inform is an additional resource which can be accessed to potentially help ease anxieties.”
You can hear more from Tony on how to manage your mental health- search for ‘Tony McLaren NHS 24’ on www.soundcloud.com.
Extra funding from the Scottish Government has been made available for NHS 24 to develop additional self-help guides, online resources and mental health services to cope with further demand.
Scotland is known as one of the friendliest countries in the world, famed for the warmth of our welcome. Breathing Space, Scotland’s mental health phone service, is encouraging Scots to continue to live up to this reputation, as they launch their ‘You Matter, We Care’ campaign this January.
People experiencing depression, low mood or anxiety should be encouraged to seek help over the holiday period, the Mental Health Minister has said. Clare Haughey also thanked those who provide help and support to people dealing with mental health problems associated with stress and loneliness during the festive period.Continue reading Mental Health: help available for low mood, depression and anxiety
