To mark World Menopause Day tomorrow (18th October), NHS 24 has launched new resources on the menopause on NHS Inform, Scotland’s trusted health information site.
Working in partnership with Scottish Government, the resources support the ambitions laid out in the Women’s Health Plan and include information about what to expect whether you’re going through the menopause or want to support someone with symptoms.
https://youtu.be/ddzdgEUOGlk
Women’s Health Minister Maree Todd said: “Women have told us, and evidence shows, that when they are well informed about the menopause, and know what to expect, their experience can be more positive. Knowledge, information and myth busting is powerful.
“I am pleased to see this comprehensive menopause platform on NHS Inform, a key deliverable from our recently published Women’s Health Plan.
“We want to ensure that anyone experiencing menopause has the care and support that they need, and this platform is an important step in achieving that aim.”
Dr Laura Ryan, Medical Director at NHS 24, said: “Menopause can affect everyone differently, and many of us are still unfamiliar with the common symptoms, how these might present, and what to expect if you or someone you know is going through ‘the change’.
“World Menopause Day aims to raise awareness of these and the support options available for improving health and wellbeing. Our new resources on NHS Inform are clinically assured and contain lots of information on signs of menopause, potential treatments, managing your wellbeing, and supporting others through their own symptoms.
“The resources also include ways to manage symptoms with some self-care, and what to do if you feel concerned that your experiences are unusual.
“Sometimes the menopause can have impacts on lots of aspects of life including self-esteem and mental health. These resources are a great way to feel knowledgeable about the experience and empowered in taking any next steps.”
Visit NHSinform.scot for updated information, including a range of videos aimed at dispelling common myths about the menopause.
A new fund has been established to help tackle the impact of social isolation, loneliness and the mental health inequalities made worse by the pandemic. The £15 million Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund aims to support adult community-based initiatives across Scotland.
Grass roots community groups and organisations will be able to benefit from the funds to deliver activities and programmes to people to re-connect and revitalise communities building on examples of good practice which have emerged throughout the pandemic.
Mental Wellbeing Minister Kevin Stewart launched the fund at Saheliya in Edinburgh, a specialist mental health and well-being support organisation for black and minority ethnic women and girls.
Mr Stewart said: “This funding reflects the importance we place on promoting good mental health and early intervention for those in distress and will help develop a culture of mental wellbeing and prevention within local communities.
“It is vital now, more than ever as we start to re-open society that we support the mental health and wellbeing of individuals. I am very keen that this benefits communities across all of Scotland.
“I was pleased to be able to visit Saheliya this morning and meet some of the people involved with running and the project, and some of the people they help.”
A range of charity-support bodies and social enterprises, known as third sector interfaces, will manage the fund in partnership with local integrated health authorities and other partners including Community Planning Partnerships and local authority mental health leads.
The Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund is part of the wider £120 million Recovery and Renewal Fund announced in February 2021 to ensure delivery of the commitments set out in the Mental Health Transition and Recovery Plan in response to the mental health need arising from the pandemic.
Pioneering mental health charity, Penumbra, has welcomed the announcement from the Scottish Government to introduce a national strategy on self-harm.
Penumbra is a leading mental health charity which supports 2500 adults and young people each week across Scotland through a range of compassionate, recovery focussed support services including in the areas of self-harm, distress support and suicide prevention.
The charity’s pioneering non-medical approach to mental health recovery support has seen it become the leading employer of peer support colleagues within the mental health field: 20% of the charity’s colleagues are employed in peer support roles.
Penumbra has dedicated self-harm support services across Scotland: Aberdeen; Edinburgh; Dundee; South Ayrshire; North Ayrshire; Fife, and operates the Edinburgh Crisis Centre.
Stephen Finlayson is the Head of Innovation and Improvement for Penumbra and has welcomed the news: “This is a welcome announcement from the Scottish Government on plans for Scotland to become the first country in the world with a dedicated strategy to supporting people who experience self-harm.
“Currently the national picture remains fragmented and many people continue to experience stigmatised attitudes. In addition to support, there’s an urgent need for more research to really understand the factors that lead people to feel the only way to manage their emotional distress is by causing harm to themselves.
“A coherent national approach will take this a long way forward. Key to this process will be listening to and working alongside people with lived and living experience of self-harm.
“At Penumbra, we support many people who self-harm in locations across Scotland each year and we know that with good, compassionate support, there is real hope for people who self-harm. Accessing the right support at the right time is critical.”
Pilton Community Health Project’s Women Supporting Women programme offers different groups and activities to women in Muirhouse, Wester Drylaw, West Pilton, Granton, Royston and Wardieburn.
Get in touch with Sally or Carla if you’d like to sign up or if you’d like to know more.
Keep Scotland Beautiful celebrates sustainable and well managed parks across Scotland
Environmental charity, Keep Scotland Beautiful, has announced that 38 parks in Edinburgh have been presented with a Green Flag Award. The accolade acknowledges quality green open spaces across the country that help to boost our nation’s health and wellbeing.
The international Green Flag Award is administered in Scotland by Keep Scotland Beautiful and acts as a benchmark for recreational outdoor space. The award celebrates well maintained parks and greenspaces and supports the opportunities that they provide to enable exercise, improve mental wellbeing and provide safe areas for play – something that has been particularly important to everyone over the last 18 months. Over 2,000 parks across the world have achieved the award this year.
Amongst the 2021 award winners are spaces managed by local authorities, community groups and various other organisations including the NHS.
Amongst the 38 winning Edinburgh parks is the Royal Edinburgh Hospital run by NHS Lothian and Corstorphine Hill LNR Community Walled Garden run by Friends of Corstorphine Hill, whilst both Harrison Park and Braidburn Valley Park are celebrating their 15th consecutive year of achieving the Green Flag Award.
Barry Fisher, Chief Executive of Keep Scotland Beautiful, commented: “I would like to congratulate all of Scotland’s award-winning parks. Receiving this prestigious international benchmark recognises all the hard work that has gone into maintaining and managing these precious green open spaces.
“Every single one of these parks provides an invaluable service to the local communities that it serves – from creating a safe space to play, to think, to work out – and they helped to address many of the health and wellbeing challenges we faced as a country during lockdown.”
“Spending time in nature can be good for people’s health and wellbeing, and merely living in a greener neighbourhood can be good for health. The Green Flag Award recognises the valuable, and tangible contribution that these parks make towards the nation’s well-being.”
“These areas are very important to us in NHS Lothian as they enable both our staff and patients to connect with nature, which helps with mental and general wellbeing.
“This award was only possible with the support and contributions from the whole hospital community, so I would like to thank everyone involved for their ongoing hard work to support our natural areas. As the site evolves to meet future healthcare needs our greenspace management plan will ensue nature continues to be at the heart of the site.”
City of Edinburgh Council’s Culture and Communities Convener, Councillor Donald Wilson, said: We’re incredibly proud of our beautiful parks in Edinburgh and it’s wonderful that we’re once again the proud holders of more Green Flags than anywhere else in Scotland – more than half of the awards granted.
“Green Flags are given to those parks that give everyone access to a safe, clean and pleasant green space where they can relax, play and exercise and I’m delighted that so many of our parks have achieved this important and much sought-after recognition which is well deserved.
“Despite the challenging times we’re all still facing and with increased investment, the quality of Edinburgh’s parks continues to improve. I want to pay tribute to everyone, staff, friends of parks and volunteers, who work so hard all year round, and in all-weathers to keep our award-winning parks so beautiful.
“These public spaces have been a source of comfort, solace, fun and relaxation for residents over the difficult last 18 months and are essential to our wellbeing. There’s always more to discover, though, so I’d encourage everyone to get out and explore our parks this Autumn.”
Culture and Communities Vice Convener, Councillor Amy McNeese-Mechan, said: “This is fantastic news, parks have proved to be real havens in recent times and my thanks to our skilled and dedicated parks staff for their continued care and hard work.
“I also want to thank all our Friends of Parks groups for everything they do. The parks belong to the people of Edinburgh and we’re so grateful for the support from our citizens. Since we first started taking part in the Green Flag scheme in 2007, we’ve gone from just two flags to 38, which is more than half of all Green Flags given out in the whole country – this is a tremendous achievement and we’ll keep working hard to make sure our parks go from strength to strength.”
A detailed map of Scotland’s Green Flag sites can be found at:
With recent studies showing that nine in ten women feel menopause affects their work, many employers are reassessing the needs of their employees and introducing menopause support resources in the workplace.
In order to support and educate employers on how best to handle menopause in the workplace, Thorntons Solicitors is hosting an hour-long webinar led by Employment Law Legal Director, Amy Jones, on World Menopause Day 2021.
Taking place virtually between 9:30-10:30am on Monday 18th October, Amy will discuss potential for discrimination and other claims if menopause is not handled appropriately together with practical tips on handling the effects of menopause within the work environment.
Amy, who has specialised in employment law for over ten years, said: “As a society, we are making progress in acknowledging the ways the menopause can impact a person – physically, emotionally, and professionally. In my upcoming webinar, I’ll be discussing the legal position around menopause at work and the importance of training, support and flexibility for managers and co-workers.”
“Many employers will be considering the need to make adjustments for staff, and I will be offering some insight on what that might look like in their workplace as well as taking the time to answer audience questions.”
Attendees can sign up for the webinar using this link:
Suicidal Crisis Support Action Group will drive implementation of the Time, Space and Compassion approach
A new group will be set up to make sure that everyone at risk of suicide can access the right support when then need it, following recommendations made by the National Suicide Prevention Leadership Group (NSPLG).
The Suicidal Crisis Support Action Group will drive implementation of the Time, Space and Compassion approach, a new way to improve help for people who are suicidal.
Nigel Henderson, former Chief Executive of Penumbra and member of the NSPLG, has been appointed as National Lead for Suicidal Crisis Support to lead this work.
Wellbeing Minister Kevin Stewart (above) said: “I welcome the report from the NSPLG and the recommendations it makes on improving responses to people in suicidal crisis. We will consider the recommendations in full.
“To deliver the scale of change set out in their recommendations, a dedicated Suicidal Crisis Support Action Group will be established to take forward and oversee the implementation of this work.
“The appointment of Nigel recognises his career in developing compassionate support for vulnerable people, including those at risk of suicide. The group will be accountable to ministers and continue to work in close partnership with NSPLG.
“We know there are some excellent examples of suicidal crisis support services across Scotland already, and we have an opportunity to learn from those to make sure this type of support is available right across Scotland.
“Every day, people in our communities, and those working in statutory and third sector services, are responding compassionately to people in crisis. However, there is more we can do. This report offers a real opportunity to transform how we engage and support our most vulnerable people at times of suicidal crisis.”
Nigel Henderson said: “I am very pleased to have been asked to lead on implementing this work.
“Having been a member of the NSPLG and directly involved in this work, I believe that developing the Time, Space, Compassion approach has the potential to make a positive difference to how we respond to people experiencing suicidal crisis.
“There is much to do, and I look forward to working with people, communities and organisations to take forward the recommendations.”
Scotland’s National Suicide Prevention Leadership Group (NSPLG) has welcomed the Scottish Government’s acceptance of recommendations for improvements to the response provided to people in suicidal crisis.
Established by the Scottish Government, the NSPLG brings together people with lived experience of suicide alongside academic, third sector, and statutory partners to support the delivery of Scotland’s Suicide Prevention Action Plan: Every Life Matters.
These key NSPLG recommendations have been accepted in full by the Scottish Government and will be published on their website today (Wednesday 13 October ).
The NSPLG report uses evidence on the effectiveness of differing models of crisis support to make recommendations to service providers and share best practice.
It deliberately does not recommend a particular model of crisis support. Instead, it sets out an approach which sees suicidal crisis response as a human reaction, not a service model, and sets out the principles of Time, Space and Compassion as the basis of improvement in support for those in crisis.
The recommended approach is at the core of the NSPLG’s vision in supporting delivery of Every Life Matters, ensuring the right support is available for people when they are actively contemplating suicide at a time of crisis.
Time allows a person to discuss their feelings, and Space recognises the need to provide an accessible, quiet, comfortable, pleasant place for a person to talk and/or a virtual space to access support by phone, text or online.
In addition, research shows that Compassion in response to a person in crisis encourages them to disclose details which, in turn, can lead to more effective support being offered and lay the foundations for self-compassion, reducing the need for support from frontline services in the future.
Embedding the principles of Time, Space and Compassion into responses to suicidal crisis in Scotland will require concerted action across national and local government, and services across sectors, communities and citizens.
NSPLG chair Rose Fitzpatrick CBE QPM, said: “We believe that this approach, rooted in Time, Space and Compassion, can be implemented across all sectors and communities, transforming the experiences of those in crisis and at immediate risk of suicide.
“It is important to highlight that this report is not critical of existing crisis support. Based on the experiences of those who have been in suicidal crisis and those around them, it recommends a radically different cultural landscape, and requires a different sort of resourcing to enable this approach to be implemented consistently.
“People with lived experience of the impacts of suicide and those providing services tell us these recommendations have the potential to improve the experiences of those who seek help at a time of suicidal crisis, and ultimately to save lives.”
Member of NSPLG Lived Experience Panel, Shumela Ahmed (39) from Bridge of Allan near Stirling, is the managing director at Resilience Learning Partnership. She has family and friends who have experienced poor mental health and made suicide attempts.
Shumela has also experienced suicidal thoughts herself.
She said: “I believe Time, Space and Compassion is the right approach because it’s trauma informed and it understands that it takes time to build up trust and connect with a person when they are in a suicidal crisis.
“Every interaction is an opportunity for intervention. When a person is at risk of suicide they need a compassionate response from someone who will spend time with them and offer a safe space for them to talk.
“A really kind, compassionate, empathetic human conversation is often what is actually needed rather than following some big, important framework.
“I look forward to these recommendations being implemented in workforces so that staff have the tools and the resources to take this approach.”
The NSPLG recommendations are intended to be a starting point for work in this area and they focus, in the first instance, on the practical support and evidence required to make this culture shift collaboratively, and on ensuring the availability of existing crisis services as we emerge from the pandemic.
Hope after a stroke: Nearly a quarter of stroke survivors lost their job after their stroke with some even losing their home or partner – but having ‘hope’ is critical to recovery
23% of stroke survivors in Scotland say having a stroke cost them their job, with almostone in five saying it impacted their relationship and 5% even lost their home
Across the UK, over half of younger stroke survivors under the age of 50 say they have never emotionally recovered from their stoke
Whilst 15% felt their first signs of hope after a month since having a stroke –a quarter did not feel any hope in over a year.
The Stroke Association calls for those who can to donate to give more survivors hope after a stroke
The practical, emotional and physical impact of having a stroke has been laid bare by a new survey of over 3,500 stroke survivors across the UK (220 respondents from Scotland), released today.
The research, conducted by the Stroke Association ahead of World Stroke Day (29 October), is part of a renewed call for vital funds to help the charity give more survivors hope after their stroke and help them to rebuild their lives.
The impact on survivors in Scotland
The research reveals that 23% of those in Scotland who survived a stroke say it directly led to them losing their job whilst 5% say it led to them losing their home.
Furthermore, almost one in five (19%) say it had a negative impact on their relationship. It is not only relationships with partners that are affected – over one in ten (12%) say they lost friends as a result of having a stroke.
Younger survivors more severely impacted
Looking at stroke survivors across the UK, the research reveals that the emotional impact of a stroke can impact younger survivors more severely. Amongst those under the age of 50, six in ten (60%) say that they’ve never emotionally recovered from the impact of their stroke. This compares to 44% for those over the age of 50.
This is despite a similar number of younger stroke survivors under the age of 50 (52%) and over the age of 50 (50%) saying they have not physically recovered from their stroke.
The importance of hope
The research shows the importance and transformative power of feeling hope after having a stroke. Over three quarters of those surveyed in Scotland (77%) say that hope played an important or critical part in their recovery.
But for many, it was not a quick process. Whilst 15% say they began to feel hope after a month since their stroke, a quarter (25%) say it took more than a year to experience what they felt was the first sign of hope. Meanwhile one in ten (11%) say they have never felt hopeful since they had their stroke – demonstrating how strokes can impact survivors differently.
The Stroke Association helps people to find the hope they need to rebuild their lives through specialist services, including a Helpline, peer support service, support groups and Support Coordinators.
Louise Copland, 36 from Glasgow, had her stroke six years ago. The effects of her stroke were dramatic. She couldn’t walk or talk.
She said: “At the time I was terrified, I had no idea what was going on, but I got the impression it was a big deal, which made me very anxious.
My family and the physiotherapists were marvellous. I’ll never forget standing up for the first time. It felt weird and I was dizzy, but it was exhilarating. I had to call my parents to give them this fantastic news and they immediately got in the car to go to the hospital and share my happiness and excitement. This was my first moment of hope that there might be light at the end of the tunnel.
I was due to get married two months later and was determined to walk down the aisle with Dad. I focused all my attention on being able to walk again. I did it. This was the biggest moment of hope I’ve had since my stroke and it gave me the impetus to carry on.
But Louise knows she probably won’t ever recover emotionally after her stroke.
“I wake up every morning with an arm and leg that don’t work like the way they did. I fear the challenges in forming new relationships – my confidence has been dashed and people do judge you for having a disability which is demeaning.
Louise continues to find moments of hope and lives her life to the full. She would have been lost without the support of friends and family. She now attends a stroke club where she gets to meet others in a similar situation to herself.
“The people I meet at the café are so welcoming. They understand the issues I’m dealing with, because they are dealing with them too. It’s important to find hope in others. It’s important to ask for help when you need it and it is out there. There is hope after stroke.”
Big and small moments of hope
The research found that it can be both big and small moments of hope that are important. When asked what gave them their first moment of hope after a stroke, nearly one in five, (19%) said it was being able to use their affected side for the first time and 11% said it was being able to speak again. However, one in ten (10%) said it was being able to complete a small every day task such as making a cup of tea.
Reevaluating what is important after a stroke
The impact of a stroke leads many to reevaluate what is important in life. Over half (54%) say having a stroke made them appreciate their life more, 43% say it made them appreciate their family more and 42% say it made them appreciate the importance of looking after their health.
John Watson, Associate Director Scotland at the Stroke Association said: “Every five minutes, someone in the UK will have a stroke and, in a flash, their life is changed.
“There are more than 128,000 stroke survivors living in Scotland and two thirds of people who survive a stroke find themselves living with a disability. The physical impact of a stroke is severe, but for many, the emotional aspects of coming to terms with having a stroke are just as significant.
“As the research makes clear, finding hope is a crucial part of the recovery process. Without it, recovery can seem impossible.
“At the Stroke Association, we support and help people to find this hope, and rebuild their lives. But with 1.3m people and rising in the UK now living with the effects of a stroke, our services have never been more stretched. We urgently require the support of the public to help us continue to support stroke survivors to rebuild their lives.”
The Stroke Association is asking those who can to donate today so that it can reach more stroke survivors and give them the specialist support they need to find hope and move forward with their recovery. Visit stroke.org.uk/hopeafterstroke
Vital education needed for the forgotten cancer marked on 13th October each year
Woeful ignorance of secondary breast cancer requires more than just a single awareness day today (October 13) to educate the public about this forgotten form of the disease.
Charity Make 2nds Count which is leading a campaign to highlight secondary breast cancer, a disease currently killing 1000 women a month in the UK, says it needs to be a year-round initiative to prevent lives being destroyed.
Secondary breast cancer – also known as metastatic, advanced or stage IV breast cancer – is a cancer that has spread beyond the breast to other parts of the body. On average there are around 35,000 patients in the UK currently living with this form of cancer.
But a YouGov poll, commissioned by the charity to coincide with Secondary Breast Cancer Awareness Day, revealed just how uninformed the public is:
Almost two-fifths (38%) of the British population are ignorant about secondary breast cancer , and 21% are aware of secondary breast cancer yet know nothing of the disease’s common signs/symptoms
More than 40% of respondents don’t know the incidence of this form of the disease, whilst 11%are under the impression that it is rare.
44% of those polled think, wrongly, that young women – those aged 15-39 – have the best chance of survival and a third have no idea who lives longer after diagnosis.
Common symptoms can initially be attributed to other health conditions, such as arthritis, and a quarter of people surveyed believe that more than 25% of patients with a history of primary breast cancer have initially been treated for another condition before their secondary breast cancer diagnosis.
Emma Hall, Head of Fundraising and Engagement, Make 2nds Count, says much media coverage has focused on checking for primary breast cancer but not for secondary.
She explained: “So people are not being informed about the different signs and symptoms to look for. We need more education, support and research, and understanding that with secondary breast cancer you won’t be cured, you can only be treated.”
Make 2nds Count founder Lisa Fleming, 38, of Edinburgh, had no previous breast cancer diagnosis, warning signs or lump when she was told she had primary and secondary breast cancer. It had already spread to the majority of her bones and swiftly spread to her brain.
She says: “We desperately need people to be aware of this forgotten form of breast cancer. We need to change the narrative, raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of this disease and in turn save lives. And that needs to happen all year round, not just on an annual awareness day.
“Primary breast cancer is well documented. Secondary breast cancer is incurable. It’s like a relative that no one really wants to speak about but without education this disease will continue to destroy the lives of so many.”
Professor David Cameron, Professor of Oncology at Edinburgh University and a board member of Make 2nds Count says: “We have made remarkable progress in the education of signs and symptoms, treating and curing primary breast cancer.
“However, secondary breast is complex, no diagnosis is the same, and no patients’ journeys are the same. Although it can be treated, and we have made much progress in more and better treatments, it still has no cure.
“We need to make sure that information on secondary breast cancer is readily available and there is more dedicated research and accessible trials.”
On the weekend of 26th September, people of varying ages and abilities from Scotland got involved with this year’s Learn to Play Day event.
Organised by the charity Music for All, people across the UK travelled to music stores and community centres, to take advantage of a range of free music lessons. For the first time, those who could not attend in person were able to join in the fun by learning through tutorials on Music for All’s YouTube channel.
These featured the likes of the band Skunk Anansie, David Tench the musical director of The Voice UK, Rob Rolfe of Enter Shikari, Vasko Vassilev and Hetty Snell of the Royal Opera House, and more.
In Scotland, Kenny’s Music store in Aberdeen and Glasgow and The National Piping Centre gave people the chance to try a variety of musical instruments.
The purpose of the annual Learn to Play Day weekend – supported by Music for All’s patron, Jools Holland OBE – was to give everyone the opportunity to pick up and play a musical instrument. While some of the attendees had never played before, others hadn’t since childhood so were rediscovering the joys of playing.
The instruments featured in the online videos include guitar, drums, violin, cello, clarinet, keyboard, ukulele, piano, trombone, bagpipes and beat boxing on a flute!
A venue spokesperson said: “Due to the pandemic, last year’s annual event sadly didn’t take place, so we were delighted to get involved this year and give people a chance to pick up and play an instrument.
“The music industry is such an incredible community, and we are happy to be so involved in helping it grow across Scotland.”
Tony Followell, Chair of Trustees at Music for All, said: “Being able to offer free access to music lessons for one weekend meant we could help to encourage people to try a musical instrument for what might have been their first time.
“There is so much pleasure to be had and proven health, happiness and wellbeing benefits associated with making music. We hope that those who took part continue to learn. Those who weren’t able to join in still can by subscribing to our YouTube channel. Thanks to all venues and people that took part.”
Learn to Play ’21 is generously supported by the NAMM Foundation and partners include Music Industries Association, Musicians Union, Making Music and Music Mark.
