Tag: Health and wellbeing

COVID VACCINE BREAKTHROUGH

‘Today is a great day for science and humanity’

The first effective vaccine against coronavirus vaccine can prevent more than 90% of people from getting Covid-19, a preliminary analysis shows. The vaccine developers, Pfizer and BioNTech – have described it as a “great day for science and humanity”.

  • Vaccine candidate was found to be more than 90% effective in preventing COVID-19 in participants without evidence of prior SARS-CoV-2 infection in the first interim efficacy analysis
  • Analysis evaluated 94 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in trial participants
  • Study enrolled 43,538 participants, with 42% having diverse backgrounds, and no serious safety concerns have been observed; Safety and additional efficacy data continue to be collected
  • Submission for Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) planned for soon after the required safety milestone is achieved, which is currently expected to occur in the third week of November
  • Clinical trial to continue through to final analysis at 164 confirmed cases in order to collect further data and characterize the vaccine candidate’s performance against other study endpoints

Pfizer Inc. and BioNTech SE today announced their mRNA-based vaccine candidate, BNT162b2, against SARS-CoV-2 has demonstrated evidence of efficacy against COVID-19 in participants without prior evidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection, based on the first interim efficacy analysis conducted on November 8, 2020 by an external, independent Data Monitoring Committee (DMC) from the Phase 3 clinical study.


“Today is a great day for science and humanity. The first set of results from our Phase 3 COVID-19 vaccine trial provides the initial evidence of our vaccine’s ability to prevent COVID-19,” said Dr. Albert Bourla, Pfizer Chairman and CEO.

“We are reaching this critical milestone in our vaccine development program at a time when the world needs it most with infection rates setting new records, hospitals nearing over-capacity and economies struggling to reopen.

“With today’s news, we are a significant step closer to providing people around the world with a much-needed breakthrough to help bring an end to this global health crisis. We look forward to sharing additional efficacy and safety data generated from thousands of participants in the coming weeks.”

After discussion with the FDA, the companies recently elected to drop the 32-case interim analysis and conduct the first interim analysis at a minimum of 62 cases. Upon the conclusion of those discussions, the evaluable case count reached 94 and the DMC performed its first analysis on all cases.

The case split between vaccinated individuals and those who received the placebo indicates a vaccine efficacy rate above 90%, at 7 days after the second dose. This means that protection is achieved 28 days after the initiation of the vaccination, which consists of a 2-dose schedule.

As the study continues, the final vaccine efficacy percentage may vary. The DMC has not reported any serious safety concerns and recommends that the study continue to collect additional safety and efficacy data as planned. The data will be discussed with regulatory authorities worldwide.

“I want to thank the thousands of people who volunteered to participate in the clinical trial, our academic collaborators and investigators at the study sites, and our colleagues and collaborators around the world who are dedicating their time to this crucial endeavor,” added Bourla. “We could not have come this far without the tremendous commitment of everyone involved.”

“The first interim analysis of our global Phase 3 study provides evidence that a vaccine may effectively prevent COVID-19. This is a victory for innovation, science and a global collaborative effort,” said Prof. Ugur Sahin, BioNTech co-founder and CEO.

“When we embarked on this journey 10 months ago this is what we aspired to achieve. Especially today, while we are all in the midst of a second wave and many of us in lockdown, we appreciate even more how important this milestone is on our path towards ending this pandemic and for all of us to regain a sense of normality.

“We will continue to collect further data as the trial continues to enroll for a final analysis planned when a total of 164 confirmed COVID-19 cases have accrued. I would like to thank everyone who has contributed to make this important achievement possible.”

The Phase 3 clinical trial of BNT162b2 began on July 27 and has enrolled 43,538 participants to date, 38,955 of whom have received a second dose of the vaccine candidate as of November 8, 2020.

Approximately 42% of global participants and 30% of U.S. participants have racially and ethnically diverse backgrounds. The trial is continuing to enroll and is expected to continue through the final analysis when a total of 164 confirmed COVID-19 cases have accrued.

The study also will evaluate the potential for the vaccine candidate to provide protection against COVID-19 in those who have had prior exposure to SARS-CoV-2, as well as vaccine prevention against severe COVID-19 disease.

In addition to the primary efficacy endpoints evaluating confirmed COVID-19 cases accruing from 7 days after the second dose, the final analysis now will include, with the approval of the FDA, new secondary endpoints evaluating efficacy based on cases accruing 14 days after the second dose as well.

The companies believe that the addition of these secondary endpoints will help align data across all COVID-19 vaccine studies and allow for cross-trial learnings and comparisons between these novel vaccine platforms. The companies have posted an updated version of the study protocol at https://www.pfizer.com/science/coronavirus.

Pfizer and BioNTech are continuing to accumulate safety data and currently estimate that a median of two months of safety data following the second (and final) dose of the vaccine candidate – the amount of safety data specified by the FDA in its guidance for potential Emergency Use Authorization – will be available by the third week of November. Additionally, participants will continue to be monitored for long-term protection and safety for an additional two years after their second dose.

Along with the efficacy data generated from the clinical trial, Pfizer and BioNTech are working to prepare the necessary safety and manufacturing data to submit to the FDA to demonstrate the safety and quality of the vaccine product produced.

Based on current projections the companies expect to produce globally up to 50 million vaccine doses in 2020 and up to 1.3 billion doses in 2021.

Pfizer and BioNTech now plan to submit data from the full Phase 3 trial for scientific peer-review publication.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson is to hold a press conference at 5pm and Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon says the vaccine announcement is welcome news.

The First Minister ended today’s lunchtime media briefing by saying: “It might not be all that visible at the moment but there is light at the end of this tunnel.

“The news we’ve heard this morning – that early indications show a vaccine being developed by the pharmaceutical company Pfizer, which has been trialled in other countries across the world, is 90% effective – is good news.  Perhaps amongst the best news we have had in recent weeks. 

“It’s not going to provide us with the way out of this today, or tomorrow, or next week, or perhaps not even in this calendar year. But this development, along with all of the work that is going into the development of other vaccines, does give us real hope that in the not too distant future, science is going to find us the way out of this terrible time. 

“So hold onto that hope today, and also use it as a motivation. What we are living through right now, and all the restrictions that are so difficult for all of us, will not last forever. But it is really important we stick with them so that we get out of the other side of this with as few people as possible becoming ill, with as few people as possible losing their lives.

“That means all of us sticking with these tough restrictions that we are all fed up with but which we know will reduce the impact of this virus. 

“So please stick with it for now and keep hold of the hope we have today that there is an end, and that we will see it in the not too distant future.” 

Menopause Mystery

MENOPAUSE: Your guestions ansered by a gynaecologist

 

Menopause is a natural part of the ageing process, something that happens to everyone who menstruates. Most of us will know someone experiencing symptoms of the menopause, but despite this, for many, menopause still means mystery.

To help people better understand what the menopause is and how it affects us, intimate healthcare brand INTIMINA UK asked resident Gynaecologist and Obstetrician Dr Shree Datta to answer the top 10 of the most common in clinic questions about the menopause.

So for anyone struggling to get an appointment with a GP or Gynaecologist during lockdown, or even those with a keen interest in knowing more about their body, then check out Dr Shree’s menopause fact file below.

1. What is menopause?

Menopause is a stage of life which every woman experiences. It’s the time when you stop having periods and usually occurs between the age of 45 to 55. This occurs as your hormone levels drop and means that you no longer release eggs to fall pregnant naturally. The average age for women to experience menopause in the UK is 51 years. 

2. Why does the menopause happen?

Women go through menopause because their hormone levels change, specifically there is a fall in oestrogen and progesterone level as you age and your ovaries “retire”. This affects periods and the ability to conceive naturally as well as resulting in the symptoms above. You may notice a change in your periods – for example, their frequency or regularity – in the time leading up to the menopause, but sometimes they may stop suddenly. In some women, menopause may be induced by treatment such as chemotherapy. 

3. What are the symptoms of menopause?

Most women experience at least one symptom around the time of menopause. Symptoms really vary from woman to woman, as does how severe they are and how long they last. Common symptoms include hot flushes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, mood changes (such as feeling anxious or depressed), fatigue, difficulty sleeping, headaches, a drop in libido and joint or muscle pain.  You may also notice a change in your periods – for example, their frequency or regularity – in the time leading upto the menopause.

4. How long does the menopause last?

Medically, menopause is defined as 12 months’ since your last period. However, the symptoms of menopause can continue, although they may become much more manageable. You may notice a transition period where you start to experience symptoms of menopause before your periods stop completely and this may last several years. 

5. Is there a way to test whether I am going through the menopause?

Yes, you may be referred by your doctor for blood tests. These will look at your hormone levels such as FSH and LH, along with your oestrogen count. 

6. What causes hot flushes?

Hot flushes are one of the most commonly experienced symptoms for women going through menopause. They are the sudden feeling of heat, sweating, palpitations and blushing that spreads from the face through the body and lasts for several minutes. Some people only experience a few hot flushes, where others experience many a day and you may experience blushing and sweating with them. They are caused by hormone changes in the body, but may be triggered by stress, alcohol or coffee, spicy food and smoking.

7. How can you treat the menopause?

In the first instance we will go through a range of measures, including reviewing your diet and lifestyle prior to considering prescribing HRT. Treatment will depend on your symptoms – for example, if you experience vaginal dryness, we will consider whether an oestrogen-based cream may help your symptoms. If you experience hot flushes, we’ll review your diet and caffeine and alcohol intake and consider oestrogen and progesterone therapy. Thin cotton clothing may also help. HRT comes in various different forms such as skin patches, gels and implants and we will discuss what best suits you. We will also check your blood pressure before prescribing medication and consider your family history and medical risk factors. 

8. Are there risks to taking HRT?

HRT use in the long-term can increase your risk of stroke, blood clots and breast cancer, but this depends on your age, family history and medical history. Your Gynaecologist will review these before prescribing HRT and you will be reviewed regularly. Usually, women can take HRT for up to five years safely. We will always start on the lowest effective dose of medication and would advise stopping HRT (or reducing the dose) once symptoms are manageable. 

9. What other treatments are there for the menopause?Acupuncture or black cohosh may help reduce hot flushes and night sweats, but you may experience side effects such as stomach upsets or rashes when taking black cohosh. You might also benefit from strengthening your pelvic floor muscles, which support the bladder, bowel and affect sexual function, by regularly doing kegel exercises. Intimina has even developed the KegelSmart™ – a revolutionary new way to do your Kegels. It’s a personal pelvic floor trainer which sets a routine that is simple to follow, safe to use, and completely tailored to your individual needs.

10. Does the menopause affect my health in the long term?Once you have gone through the menopause you are more at risk of osteoporosis as bone loss is affected by oestrogen levels. Vaginal dryness may also lead to pain during sex, so lubricants may also be helpful.  

11. When can I stop contraception?

It’s still possible to fall pregnant as you approach the menopause, so make sure you continue contraception until you have fully gone through the menopause – so until you have stopped having periods for 12 months. 

Edinburgh cancer survivor launches charity Movember auction with John Pye

SCOTTISH student Stewart Morgan has launched an online charity event, in partnership with Bo’ness-based online auction house John Pye Auctions, to support Movember following his cancer diagnosis.

Stewart, 22, from Edinburgh, was diagnosed with testicular cancer just four days after his 21st birthday. However, since being given the ‘all clear’ he is campaigning to not only raise money but also to educate high school boys on the genetic disease and to speak up if they think something is wrong.

The auction – which is now live until 12 noon on Monday 30 November – has an incredible range of items available. There are currently 28 lots up for grabs – with more due to be added – all generously donated by local businesses and individuals, including sporting experiences, luxury overnight breaks and selfcare products.

Highlights include: 

  • Gleneagles 4 Ball on your personal choice of world-renowned courses
  • Macallan 18-year Double Cask
  • Overnight stay and afternoon tea at the Pine Trees Hotel, Pitlochry

Stewart said: “This is my first charity auction, so I’m thrilled that John Pye decided to support my cause. As a fit and healthy young guy, being diagnosed with testicular cancer came as a huge shock – I always thought I was invincible.

“From the initial shock of finding out I had cancer, to telling my family and friends, countless appointments and finally undergoing surgery in October 2019, it was a terrifying experience.

“However, since becoming cancer free I’ve tried to turn it into something positive. I’m constantly encouraging people to just check – even once a month in the shower, look out for any pain, swelling, firmness or lumps and call your GP if you are unsure. I was amazed at the number of guys, of all ages, who had no idea what symptoms to look out for!

“This happens to brothers, dads, sons, grandads, friends, uncles, cousins and more. If you notice something you aren’t sure about; ASK!”

All funds raised will be added to Stewart’s Movember fundraising total in addition to his work educating local high schools and completing a number of outrageous challenges. He has also organized a number of bus adverts in collaboration with his university Heriot-Watt.

Adam Pye, managing director at John Pye Auctions, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to help Stewart raise money for Movember. It’s such a worthy cause and after hearing about his personal experience we were more than happy to offer our assistance.

“We hope the money raised will go a long way in supporting testicular cancer, but more importantly we hope this campaign encourages men of all ages to be more aware of the symptoms and to get checked out if something doesn’t seem right.”

Since January this year, John Pye Auctions has helped to raise more than £70,000 through its online charity auctions and has smashed its aim of raising £50,000 for the entire year. 

The impressive total has been donated following each auction to a wide range of charities across the UK, each with the purpose of making a difference to the local community.

To see the full auction list and place a bid, please visit:

https://www.johnpyeauctions.co.uk/lot_list.asp?saleid=9158&siteid=1

To find out more about John Pye Auctions and the comprehensive services it offers please visit: www.johnpye.co.uk or join the conversation on Twitter @John_Pye.

More mental health support for students

Extra £1.32 million to improve wellbeing

Students across Scotland will have access to more support to help them deal with the mental health impacts of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Additional Scottish Government funding will allow support staff to carry out more frequent checks to identify potential mental health issues, as well as wider welfare concerns, such as access to food deliveries and other necessities.

The funding will also help to increase the number of drop-in chats for students, which will offer counselling on a digital platform.

Staff will also be able to direct students to the appropriate services, including referring them to a clinician, if appropriate.

Minister for Mental Health Clare Haughey said: “We want students and their families to feel reassured that practical and welfare support is in place, particularly given current circumstances.

“This extra funding will build on the support already in place, including the additional counsellors provided by our recent investment of £3.64 million.

“During the pandemic we have committed £6 million of funding to improve mental health throughout Scotland. And on Monday, we announced £15 million to respond to the mental health issues of children and young people. Students have access to all services available to the general population, including the Clear Your Head campaign to support people to take care of their mental health and wellbeing.

“We have also expanded the NHS24 Mental Health Hub so that it is now available 24 hours a day,  seven days a week, and increased the capacity of the Breathing Space telephone helpline and web support service.”

NUS Scotland President Matt Crilly said: “We warmly welcome today’s additional funding which will help to support students’ mental health and wellbeing after a tough start to the academic year.

“The impact of COVID-19 on students has undoubtedly taken its toll – academically, financially and socially. Now more than ever we need to ensure that their mental health and wellbeing is looked after, and this funding is a welcome start to ensuring that every student who needs support, has access to it. We look forward to further details of how the funding will be allocated and spent.”

Director of Access, Learning and Outcomes at the Scottish Funding Council, James Dunphy said: “Positive mental health is fundamental to students’ ability to progress and make the most of their education experience. 

“We know the COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the mental and emotional health of many students, both new and returning, and so we welcome this additional funding. 

“Colleges and universities have made great progress with the funding they have already received, employing additional counsellors to support students in need, and this additional funding will enable them to target their support in more flexible ways, including increased access to online services, crisis intervention, and wellbeing support for those in isolation.”

Universities will have accessible wellbeing services, with details on their websites.

The Student Information Scotland website has the student support pages of every institution to signpost students to the support which is available.

Social Distancing Measures ‘encourages cyberbullying among children’

Anti-Bullying Awareness Week runs from the 11-15 November 2020. In this article Need2Know Books looks at the effects that social distancing and lockdown measures have had on children as social media dependency and online screen time increases, creating more opportunities for cyberbullying. 

For further information the Essential Guide to Bullying by Jennifer Thomson is a great resource.

Enhanced anxiety and stress are not the only conditions parents and caregivers need to be careful of in this world of ‘new normal.’  A recent multidisciplinary research report found that the consequences of quarantine and social distancing measures are themselves key risk factors for mental health issues which includes cyberbullying among children.

There is no question that bullying numbers will rise in 2020 as many school’s moved classes online during the Spring and Summer months. 

This Increase in online screen time has created more opportunities for cyberbullying and harassment. Unfortunately, one of the darker sides of COVID-19 is the rise of racial issues and cyberbullying among children. 

Recent research has found that because the virus originated from Wuhan, China and has largely been referred to as the “Chinese virus”, this has increased bullying among children of Asian descent who are at a greater risk of racial bullying than their classmates. Bullying has largely been done through private and text messaging in a ‘virtual’ environment.

More than 1.5 billion children worldwide have been affected by school closures. As a result, children have been forced to go online for learning as well as for hobbies and social activities.

  • It has been reported that 82% of parents said that their children’s screen time has increased during lockdown
  • 30% said that their children were having an extra four hours or more of non-school related screen time per day
  • Children, especially adolescents and teens, are spending a greater amount of time on apps such as such as Zoom, Snapchat, Instagram and Facebook.

Prior to the pandemic parents have been extremely concerned about their children’s screen time and have struggled to limit this. The problem that has always faced parents is that they cannot always protect their children from cyberbullying, grooming and inappropriate messages online.

Cyberbullying in the virtual world

Despite some of the positive benefits of online learning research has found that the darker elements of school life transitioned online.

  • Cyberbullying has been on the rise before lockdown – some reports suggest that just 20% of bullying takes place at school now.
  • Cyberbullying incidents increased by 70% between March and April this year when lock down was at its peak.
  • The strain placed on mental health caused by being confined to the home for weeks at a time could be making matters worse.

The UK government has published guidelines online titled “Coronavirus (Covid-19): support for parents and carers to keep children safe online” which is available to view.

Tips and Advice

  • Have the ‘talk’ open the lines of communication between yourself and your child. Discuss what cyberbullying is and what to do when it happens.
  • Don’t be afraid to set guidelines and take control of what your children see and do online.
  • The applications used by schools all have tools for reporting abuse. Show your kids where to find the abuse reporting tools and how to fill in the forms. 
  • Keep any evidence of inappropriate messages and report it to a school official ie. teacher, headteacher or school nurse.
  • Use your parental controls. Androids, Apple and Windows all have built in parental controls These allow parents to block inappropriate content, control access to apps, and limit screen time.

We enter an uncertain future with lockdown restrictions continuing into the winter months. It is important that parents find positive ways to curtail the ‘pandemic effect’ and find a balance with online screen time to help avoid cyberbullying. If you are concerned about a child’s mental welfare or notice worrying behaviour, please seek professional advice.

For more information and advice on cyberbullying visit:  

bullying.co.uk and childline.org.uk. 

To learn more about Need2Know Books visit: www.need2knowbooks.co.uk.

Heart Research UK Healthy tip – Get the kids walking

Heart Research UK Healthy Heart Tip, written by Dr Helen Flaherty, Head of Health Promotion at Heart Research UK

This year, many children are not attending school due to COVID-19 and they may be missing out on getting in some valuable steps.

Regular physical activity in children and young people is associated with improved learning, better mental health, healthier weight status and better cardiovascular fitness.

Many children are not getting enough exercise and we provide some ideas for getting your kids walking more, whether they are currently attending school or not.

Not enough time to walk?

If you tend to drive your child to school because you are short of time in the mornings, you could look at your schedule to see whether getting up earlier, or moving things around in your diary, could help. If your child is not currently attending school, you could try to squeeze in a short walk at the start of the day.

Too cold and wet to walk?

If you are put off walking because the weather is too cold or damp, try wrapping up warm and making sure you/your kids are protected from the rain with waterproof clothing, umbrellas and wellies. Younger children can have fun splashing in puddles along the way.

Kids not willing to walk?

If your kids are not willing to walk, you could start by encouraging them to walk two or three times a week and increase it gradually until they are walking every day.

Try having fun during your walks by singing songs, playing games or spotting birds and insects along the way. If your kids are old enough to walk on their own, you could motivate them by asking them to count their steps using a smartwatch or smartphone and set them daily or weekly targets.

Voting opens to find the UK’s top ten parks

Scots urged to vote for their favourite Green Flag Award park

Scotland’s treasured green spaces are going to the polls, as the vote opens to choose the UK’s top award winning parks. The People’s Choice vote allows members of the public to have their say – selecting the parks that will be crowned the top ten in the country.

Following expert-led judging, Scotland has 77 parks this year with a Green Flag Award to choose from. These include spaces managed by community groups, universities and local authorities.

The voting is open from 30 October to 25 November with winners announced on 3 December.  To vote for your favourite, simply find it on the map at www.greenflagaward.org and click on the vote button.

Last year, Strathaven Park in South Lanarkshire placed in the top ten for the sixth time in seven years and was awarded the accolade of “Scotland’s favorite park”. This year, parks stretching from the Western Isles to the Scottish Borders are all in with a chance.

Jamie Ormiston, Beaches and Parks Officer at Keep Scotland Beautiful said, “Living through a pandemic has made this year particularly challenging, and it has shown us the vital role our green spaces play to our health and wellbeing.

“The Green Flag Award acknowledges the hard work that goes on to keep these important greenspaces available for us to enjoy. We encourage everyone to vote for their favourite Green Flag Awarded park and we look forward to finding out the results later this year.”

A list of Scotland’s Green Flag Award parks is attached.

Park-list-2020Download

Bonfire and Fireworks advice from Scottish Fire and Rescue Service

Let’s keep our communities safe this bonfire season …

https://twitter.com/i/status/1323996210043228161

Four tips to help keep routines on track amid uncertainty

Scots have been encouraged to build extenuating circumstances into their plans, look at the smaller goals and reward themselves to help them stick to their routines during this difficult time.‎

The team from Blackwolf Workout  have offered those struggling four tips to help keep their days more structured.‎

A lack of motivation and productivity is normal for anyone during a global pandemic, whether this is in terms of keeping to a gym routine or adapting to working from home.  ‎

Everyone is feeling different day to day so it’s important to not let your entire week or routine be overshadowed by one slip-up. ‎

A spokesperson for  Blackwolf Workout  said: “This has been a very uncertain year for everyone where normal routines, such as commuting to and from work, have been disrupted.  

“It can be difficult to stick to the routines of the ‘new normal’ when everything is so uncertain with further potential lockdowns still possible.

“By planning ahead and building any uncertainty into your routine you’re more likely to stick to it.” ‎

These are Blackwolf Workout’s  tips on how to keep to a routine:

1. Goals

Everything seems more achievable with smaller goals. If you have one finish point in mind, try and break down the journey between where you are now and the endpoint. Within the journey, you should highlight several markers or smaller goals to help show you’re on track. ‎

2. Reward

Everyone likes a reward and they can sometimes be just the motivation you need. If you’re struggling to motivate yourself to go to the gym, why don’t you treat yourself to your favourite meal on a Saturday night if you go three times a week? Be careful not to burn yourself out otherwise you’ll never want to get back to a routine. ‎

3. Remind

Write down exactly what you want to achieve by our routine. Do you want to lower your body mass, look more toned or reach a lifting goal? By writing your goal down and displaying it somewhere within your house, maybe on your desk or the door of your fridge, it’ll remind you of why you’re doing what you are and help motivate you. ‎

4. Location

With further potential lockdowns looking likely it can be hard to create a routine which you know will look the same in the next few months. Try and incorporate things that you can do at home, such as home workouts, into the routine.

If you do want to go to the gym, consider how you could do this at home if they shut. By planning as much as you can and considering these options before they happen it means you’re less likely to be thrown out of routine if they do.

National Stress Awareness Day

4th November 2020

National Stress Awareness Day falls on the first Wednesday in November each year. Some stress is good for us. It helps us to respond to changes in life. However, too much stress causes harm to our health and relationships. This year has been highly stressful for most of us.

However, you’re not alone with your mental health.

The Together Let’s Care for your Mental Health campaign aims to raise awareness of a range of mental health information and services to support people experiencing anxiety and other common mental health concerns.

Under the banner ‘Together Let’s Care for your Mental Health’ NHS 24, Police Scotland and the Scottish Ambulance Service are able to signpost to a range of self-help guides and options for further support.

Information is available for a range of day to day concerns such as stress and anxiety, depression, young people’s mental health needs, alcohol, gambling and drug use.

Self-help guides are available 24 hours a day from NHSinform.scot/youmatterwecare .

Users are able to choose strategies for immediate support, using tried and tested self-care options, or where appropriate, may be guided to other means of support such as telephone helplines.

NHS 24 offers a range of mental health services in addition to the NHS inform self-help guides, including the 111 Mental Health Hub, and Breathing Space’s telephone and web chat services.

A new 24/7 Mental Health Hub provides support for those contacting the 111 service. In addition, people calling Police Scotland in mental health distress are also now offered access to the 111 Mental Health Hub service.

Collaboration work with the Scottish Ambulance Service is also underway to develop a similar pathway.