Keep festive anxiety in check!
Daylight is a free app for people living in Scotland. It’s designed to help people who are experiencing symptoms of worry and anxiety. Try it out by going to
https://onboarding.trydaylight.com/daylight/nhs/144#1/1
WEDNESDAY 13 DECEMBER from 5 – 6.30pm at SPARTANS
In September this year, our young people held a successful Art Exhibition at the arts venue Out Of The Blue Drill Hall. At the opening event of CREATE TO ESCAPE, the young people sold prints of their artwork and raised just over £600 for for the charity Turn The Tables DJ, which offers workshops to improve mental health for those affected by homelessness.
Following on from the success, there will be an ART POP UP SHOP & DJ evening where some of our young people will be doing a DJ set, demonstrating the fantastic work they have been doing with their Music teacher Hope, here at the Alternative School. There will also be a chance to purchase some of the incredible Artwork by young people.
Wednesday 13.12.23 5-6:30pm
Spartans at 94 Pilton Drive, upstairs in the Robinson Trust Suite
Please come along and support our young people in their final fundraising effort for this worthwhile charity which they chose to support!
“Kindness costs nothing … yet is the most priceless gift one can give.”
A leading campaigner on mental health has urged Brits to be kind as it can help others and boost you own wellbeing.
And Lynn Crilly, who is also a mental health counsellor, says the “kindness of strangers” can often be the perfect tonic for someone experiencing a life crisis.
Speaking on World Kindess Day – which is celebrated today (November 13) Lynn said: “We often talk of the “kindness of strangers’ ‘ – and there’s no doubt that, sometimes, the very best support can arrive from a place you least expect it.
“Three years ago, at the start of lockdown, many people were inspired to reach out to each other with kindness. They were motivated to do the right thing by supporting and uplifting one another in the face of adversity,
“However, as the pandemic continued, it began to grind people down. They became tired, and less tolerant of each other.
“Then, as the world began to emerge from the pandemic, it soon became clear the devastating effect it had had on people’s mental health.
Addressing the issues many people currently face in their lives, Lynn continued: “People have been living in a state of uncertainty ever since, with the economy, climate, war and the high interest rates, all compounding many of mental health issues people may have today.
“That’s why I hope lots of people show kindness today and in the future.”
Lynn became a counsellor after one of her daughter’s, Samantha, fell into the trap of Anorexia Nervosa and OCD, at the age of 13. She explored every avenue and source of help, but they were not right. Lynn felt she had no option but to educate herself and learn as much as she could about eating disorders and mental illness.
Here Lynn shares five reasons why it can make a difference both to you, and the person sitting by your side:
It encourages us to reset the idea of ‘KINDNESS’.
Kindness is much more than ‘a nice thing to do’ It plays a vital role in our overall well-being. Research has shown that kindness has a positive effect on both our mental and physical health – whether we are showing kindness, receiving kindness, or just watching kindness. How wonderful is that?
It can help us to feel happier:
When we experience kindness, a hormone called dopamine is released in our brain which uplifts our mood. It is often referred to as ‘Helper’s High’.
Kindness improves relationships:
We tend to gravitate towards people that show us kindness. This is mainly because kindness reduces the emotional distance between each other and helps us to feel more bonded.
Kindness is good for the heart:
When we show kindness to one another it makes us feel all warm inside. Acts of kindness are often accompanied by a feeling of emotional warmth, which in turn
produces the hormone oxytocin in the body. Oxytocin causes the release of a chemical called nitric oxide, which expands the blood vessels, reduces blood pressure, and protects the heart.
Kindness slows ageing:
Kindness has been proven to slow the ageing process. Research shows that oxytocin can reduce levels of free radicals and inflammation (two main culprits of ageing) in our cardiovascular system. This also slows ageing at the source.
And finally, kindness is contagious:
When a stone is dropped into water it creates waves, acts of kindness of the same ripple effect. When we are kind, it inspires others to be kind, studies show that it creates a ripple effect.
That spreads outwards, to friends, their friends, and their friends – that is a great three degrees of separation. So, when a person is kind to another it could positively affect up to 125 people. How cool is that?
The busy, complicated technology fuelled world we live in today desperately needs more kindness, which will not only give all the above benefits but also restore faith in human nature and give people hope.
So, we should also remember we should not need a special day to show one another kindness. We should aim to make it part of our everyday life. Remember kindness costs nothing – yet is the most priceless gift of all.
For local football fans, seeing Hibs and Hearts go head-to-head is always a highlight in the sporting calendar and their latest game was no exception – even if it did have one significant twist.
Instead of meeting on the pitch, former players from Edinburgh’s Hibernian F.C and Heart of Midlothian F.C. battled it out on the GOLF COURSE in a brand new charity tournament, the Auld Reekie Cup.
Taking place on Thursday 26th October at the historic Royal Burgess Golfing Society, the Auld Reekie Cup proved to be a big success, with Hearts clinching the cup.
Their winning team included former football legends Gary Locke, Eamonn Bannon, Scott Crabbe, Jim Brown and Graeme Shaw as well as fans, who took on former Hibs footie stars John Brownlie, John Hazel, Derek Riordan, Scott Brown, Steven Tweed, John Blackley, Gordon Hunter and Graeme Harvey plus fans.
Thanks to the Hanlon Stevenson Foundation and the Big Hearts Community Trust, all money raised on the day will be used to support projects promoting the mental health of young people here in Edinburgh.
Speaking after the event, Hanlon Stevenson Foundation Ambassador Paul Demarco said; “The day was an outstanding success for all involved and the Auld Reekie Cup looks to be a fantastic addition to the years must attend derby fixtures in the capital.
“It was a pleasure to work alongside our city rivals and raise much needed funds for the work we do, especially at this time of the year. Well done to Big Hearts Community Trust on lifting the trophy, the result might not have gone our way, but there is always next year!”
Big Hearts Community Trust Chief Executive Craig Wilson added; “Big Hearts were delighted to be invited to take part in the Auld Reekie Cup alongside the Hanlon Stevenson Foundation.
“It was a brilliant day of golf with brilliant support from a wide range of new and old partners for both charities. Big Hearts, like the Hanlon Stevenson Foundation, recognise the challenges our communities face, and days like yesterday raising funds help us provide vital support. We look forward to trying to retain the cup next year!”
Following the resounding success of the first ever Auld Reekie Cup, the event will return next year and local supporters will once again be offered a unique opportunity to play alongside their footballing icons.
Self-Harm Network Scotland (SHNS) have announced the launch of their new live chat service; available to anyone aged 12 + across Scotland who needs support with their self-harm.
This new service is in addition to its online portal which launched on Self-harm Awareness Day 2023.
The SHNS service is operated by Penumbra Mental Health, a pioneering charity providing dedicated services for people with mild to serious enduring mental ill health.
SHNS is funded by the Scottish government.
The live chat, which can be found on the online portal, will be available every day between the hours of 6pm-10pm from Tuesday 10th October 2023.
The live chat was created to provide a support service outside of normal working hours, when those experiencing self-harm may be at their most vulnerable.
The live chat is a new addition to the portal, which was created to provide recovery-focussed support, tools and information that anyone can access to enable people to support themselves and others. This includes sections for those who self-harm, people supporting someone who self-harms, and professionals working with someone who self-harms. Additionally, you will still be able to self-refer onto the service via an online form outside of the live chat operating ours.
This next step will allow people anywhere in Scotland to get immediate support from one of the trained volunteers or peer practitioners. They can offer a listening ear, guidance and support when it’s needed most. Penumbra Mental Health is the largest employer of mental health peer workers in Scotland with 26% of its teams in peer support roles.
SHNS hopes that this service will reach people in their time of need, get them to where they need to be, keeping them safe and well on their journey to recovery.
Shona McBain, Senior Peer Practitioner, Self-harm Network Scotland, said: “Through the live chat, you will still receive that emotional peer connection that you receive through all our other services.
“You will either be connected with one of our peer practitioners or trained volunteers, many of whom have their own lived experience of self-harm.
“The difference with this service is that there is no requirement to agree to ongoing support. Our team will meet you at whatever stage you are at in your self-harm journey, and provide you with support that is tailored to your own needs. This might be a one-off conversation, or we may refer you to ongoing support if you wish.”
Meghan Drysdale, Service Manager, Self-harm Network Scotland, said: “Since SHNS’ infancy, the service has continued to grow and adapt to meet the needs of people across Scotland and raise awareness of Self-harm.
“Our team of practitioners exemplifies their unwavering commitment to working with those who engage in Self-harming, and this is driven by genuine enthusiasm for supporting others.
“Every member of our team brings a unique blend of passion and expertise, and this has allowed our service to grow and work so well to reach those in need.
“The addition of the live chat allows us to continue to reach more and more people in need of support. It reduces barriers and allows anonymity for those who aren’t ready to be known.”
Supported Person, Self-harm Network Scotland: “I received support from Self-harm Network Scotland after suffering with anxiety and depression following the birth of my daughter. I used self-harm at the time to cope with my feelings and emotions.
“The support I received was amazing. One of the best parts of the whole service was having someone with lived experience like my peer practitioner by my side. They helped me understand that I wasn’t alone in what I was experiencing.
“I had 15 sessions in total and I was initially worried about them coming to an end. When I found out about the live chat launching, this filled me with confidence. I knew that I had the tools to cope that my peer practitioner had equipped me with, but also, that the chat was there if I was ever struggling and needed to talk to someone quickly.
“I want more people to be aware that the live chat and self-referral process are there if you need help.”
Access to staff mental health and wellbeing services has become a postcode lottery for NHS and social care workers, after funding was cut for the NHS Staff Mental Health and Wellbeing Hubs in March this year.
This World Mental Health Day, the British Psychological Society (BPS) is calling for all NHS and social care staff to have equal access to dedicated evidence-based mental health and wellbeing support at work, wherever they live in the country.
With 17 hubs already closed or closing across England*, struggling staff in those areas are unable to access the dedicated support that’s still provided in localities that have retained a hub.
And, despite a limited injection of short term funding from NHS England to provide one hub per NHS region, which would offer a drastically reduced service for vast catchment areas, this arrangement is yet to be operational.
Some hubs report not having received this vital funding.
With less than six months of this financial year remaining, time is running out for staff who need to access help now. Yet, the need for dedicated mental health support for health and care staff could not be more stark.
The latest NHS statistics show anxiety, stress, depression, or other psychiatric illnesses was the most reported reason for sickness absence in May 2023, accounting for over 502,570 full time equivalent days lost and 26.4 per cent of all sickness absence.
Last year, more than 6 million full time equivalent days were lost in the NHS for mental health reasons.
The BPS’s own research found mental health, stress, and work-related stress was behind nearly one-third(30 per cent or 500,021 FTE days)* of social care staff sickness absence in 114 councils in England last year.
With the NHS Workforce Plan placing responsibility for investment in staff mental health and wellbeing provision with integrated care systems from April 2024, local health and care leaders will make crucial decisions about their staff mental health and wellbeing services, including the hubs, in the next few months.
To date, just one integrated care board has confirmed continued long term funding for its dedicated staff mental health and wellbeing service, and 41 boards are yet to make a decision about the future of their provision from April 2024.
The BPS is urging health and care leaders to make funding for staff mental health and wellbeing support a key long-term priority in their budgets.
Dr Roman Raczka, BPS President-Elect and chair of the Division of Clinical Psychology, said: “NHS and social care staff have the right to be cared for by their employer, as they care for us.
“If and when they need help with their mental health, they have a right to parity of access to the same support services as their colleagues in a neighbouring area.
“The NHS and local authorities have a duty of care to their employees, and it simply isn’t good enough that where you live and work should have a bearing on the level of mental health support on offer if you’re struggling.”
This year’s theme for World Mental Health Day is ‘Mental health is a universal human right’.
It’s a rivalry that has kept football fans on the edge of their stadium seats for almost 150 years – that between Edinburgh’s Hibernian F.C and Heart of Midlothian F.C.
And now that competition is set to hit the golf course as footballing legends from Hibs and Hearts prepare to tee off in an exclusive charity golf tournament. What’s more, local supporters are being offered a unique opportunity to play alongside these football icons as entries into the inaugural Auld Reekie Cup teams officially open to the public.
Taking place on Thursday 26th October at the historic Royal Burgess Golfing Society, the Auld Reekie Cup is set to be a memorable golf day with a difference, featuring friendly competition and banter, with great prizes and bragging rights up for grabs.
Switching the pitch for the fairway will be fitba stars Scott Brown, Mixu Paatelainen, Steven Whittaker, Derek Riordan, Gordon Hunter, Steven Tweed, Ally McLeod, John Blackley and John Brownlie playing for Hibernian, and Jim Brown, Scott Crabbe, Eammon Bannon and Graeme Shaw playing for Hearts. More big names will be confirmed in the coming days.
And it’s all in aid of a great cause. Thanks to the Hanlon Stevenson Foundation and the Big Hearts Community Trust, all money raised will be used to support projects promoting young people’s mental health.
Speaking ahead of the event, Hanlon Stevenson Foundation Ambassador Paul Demarco said; “Uniting old rivals for a common cause, this charity golf day will bring Hibs and Hearts together on the green to tee up support for young people’s mental health.
“Hanlon Stevenson Foundation are delighted to be working with Big Hearts Community Trust, proving that when it comes to making a positive difference, our shared purpose is stronger than any rivalry.”
Big Hearts Community Trust Chief Executive Craig Wilson added; “We are thrilled to have been asked to be part of this exciting new event alongside The Hanlon Stevenson Foundation which will allow us to support even more young people across Edinburgh.
“We already do a host of work in this area and know the challenges that exist. We hope to have a full team of golfers joining us and our playing legends on what will be a great day at such a historic venue, all for a great cause.”
The Auld Reekie Cup will take place at The Royal Burgess Golfing Society on Thursday 26th October.
Entries into both teams are now open. Teams of 3 plus a playing legend are priced at £900 +VAT. To purchase a ticket for the Hibernian team please email graeme@hanlonstevensonfoundation.co.uk
To purchase a ticket for the Hearts team please email kirsty.coutts@bighearts.org.uk.
Cala Homes (East) has installed a bench at the Cammo Meadows development to help boost mental health awareness, providing a space for locals and residents to take some time out of their day for a quiet moment of reflection.
A second bench has been installed by David Wilson Homes East Scotland who, alongside Cala Homes (East), have jointly funded the benches.
Cala Homes (East) has placed its bench in a quiet corner, at the western edge of the development, beside a local woodland walk and cycle path to provide picturesque views of the historic Cammo Estate.
An inscribed plaque will clearly display contact information for Breathing Space, a free telephone service which aims to help those in Scotland who are experiencing anxiety, stress or feeling low.
Peter McNamara Site Manager at Cala Homes’ (East) Cammo Meadows development, said: “We are delighted to unveil this Breathing Space bench at Cammo Meadows. The bench will act as a reminder that mental health is just as important as physical health, and we hope that residents use it for moments of peaceful reflection.
“Its position beside the Cammo Estate is also something we took into consideration, as it means it’s not just those who live at Cammo Meadows, but also the wider community are able to use the bench, not just those that live within the development. This gives everyone a chance to benefit from this peaceful setting and take some time out.”
Tony McLaren, National Co-ordinator for Breathing Space, said: “The benches we have installed help the spread of positivity, as well as encouraging people to reach out to those who need it most. By adding the plaque with our phone number, we hope to make more people aware of the helpline which is available on weekday evenings and 24 hours at weekends. Those looking to speak to a Breathing Space advisor can call 0800 83 85 87.
“We hope the residents and the whole community at Cammo Meadows and surrounding area are able to enjoy the bench, in this serene and calm setting, and that it has a positive impact on the local community.”
Anne Ross, sales director at David Wilson Homes East Scotland, part of Barratt Developments Scotland, said: “The new Breathing Space bench at our Cammo Meadows development is a welcome addition to the site, providing a space for the local community to relax and find a moment of calm amidst busy schedules.
“Residents and locals experiencing anxiety, stress or who are feeling low can also find contact details for a free telephone service on each bench’s plaque. It might not seem much, but these two small corners of calm are a positive step in supporting and shifting the stigma surrounding mental health.”
To learn more about Cammo Meadows, or to request a viewing, call 0131 5156 4399 or visit: https://www.cala.co.uk/homes-for-sale/scotland/edinburgh/cammo-meadows
To learn more about the portfolio of properties developed by Cala Homes (East), visit www.cala.co.uk/east-of-scotland/
Mental health, stress and work-related stress was behind nearly one-third (30 per cent or 500,021 FTE days)* of social care staff sickness absence in councils in England last year, shocking new figures uncovered by the British Psychological Society have revealed today.
Analysis of new data obtained by the British Psychological Society (BPS) from 114 local authorities in England, has also shown that for more than three quarters (77 per cent)** of local authorities, mental health, stress, or work-related stress is the most common reason for sickness absence in their social care workforce.
The data shows 1.6million days (1,653,117 FTE days)* of sickness absence were taken by adult and children’s social care staff in 114 councils in 2022-2023 in total, against a backdrop of a debilitating recruitment and retention crisis, unmanageable workloads, and soaring local authority spending on agency social care staff.
The figures are based on analysis of data for the period 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023, from 114 local authorities in England, obtained through Freedom of Information requests submitted by the British Psychological Society.
The British Psychological Society and British Association of Social Workers say the new figures highlight the desperate need for the NHS Staff Mental Health and Wellbeing Hubs, which provided dedicated mental health support for struggling health and social care staff, until government funding ended in March 2023.
New research into the impact of three hubs recently published in the BMJ has found that Hubs were seen as a valuable, responsive and distinct part of the health and care system, but that the genuine promotion of and value placed on mental health support by health and social care management, and the creation of psychologically safe work environments, was vital.
At least 15 of the 42 hubs have already closed or are pending closure, while the majority of remaining hubs continue to operate in a funding limbo after NHS England provided an inadequate £2.3million for drastically scaled back services until March 2024 – despite staff wellbeing being a key focus of the new NHS Workforce Plan.
Some hubs had set up teams dedicated to reaching the social care workforce in their areas, including the Keeping Well in South East London (KWSEL) Mental Health and Wellbeing Hub, which proactively engaged with staff across six city boroughs. In one year, the team visited more than 110 care section organisations, with 448 care staff receiving training or an intervention to support their mental wellbeing, before the service was forced to close in March 2023 after its funding was cut.***
Integrated Care Systems in England are expected to make crucial decisions about future funding for the hubs and their staff wellbeing services in the next few months. The British Psychological Society and British Association of Social Workers are calling on health and care leaders to make funding for staff wellbeing support, including for the NHS Staff Mental Health and Wellbeing Hubs, a key priority in their budgets.
Dr Roman Raczka, President-Elect of the British Psychological Society, and Chair of the Division for Clinical Psychology, said: “These troubling figures are yet more evidence of the staffing crisis and working conditions within social care, and the deeply concerning toll it is taking on the mental health of a demoralised and burnt out workforce.
“Despite this, funding for the NHS Staff Mental Health and Wellbeing Hubs was cut just as many had started to make inroads into reaching social care staff who needed help, leaving significant unmet need.
“Health and social care leaders simply can’t afford not to invest in staff wellbeing if they wish to retain staff, recruit new talent, and provide the effective, safe services people deserve.
“We urge them to commit to long-term ring-fenced funding for dedicated mental health and wellbeing support for health and care staff, including through the remaining NHS Staff Mental Health and Wellbeing Hubs.
“They must now seize upon the opportunity to build upon the foundations created by the hub network to provide mental health and wellbeing support for staff that’s fit for purpose and rooted in best practice.”
The figures published by the BPS reflect the findings of the British Association of Social Workers’ (BASW) Annual Survey of Social Workers and Social Work: 2022, which found that 75 per cent of respondents reported that they are currently unable to complete all of their work within their contracted hours.
BASW found a lack of funding for social care (68 per cent), recruitment and retention problems (54 per cent) and cuts to local services (42 per cent) were pinpointed as the biggest concerns for the profession as a whole.
A new pilot service which aims to tackle the mental health crisis facing children and young people in Scotland is to be launched from September in East Lothian.
Developed by Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity (ECHC), ‘The Haven’ wellbeing and resilience service will open tomorrow (Monday 18 September) at The Fraser Centre in Tranent and is open to families living within the catchment area of Ross High School.
It aims to support families with children struggling with their mental health and prevent problems escalating to the point where professional intervention is needed.
The Haven will be open to any child or young person with a mental health concern, and any member of their family, including parents, carers, siblings and grandparents. It will offer support in a relaxed and informal setting and provide interventions including family support groups, signposting, fun activities and a drop-in service for those who may just need a cup of tea and a listening ear.
Every family will have their own ‘Pal’; a trained team member who can support them along their child’s mental health journey. At its best, The Haven may negate a family’s need for future access to medical support, alleviating the pressures on Scotland’s CAMHS.
Sara Fairgrieve from East Lothian is the parent of a child who is currently receiving mental health support. She is backing ECHC’s new service and will attend The Haven with her child once it is open.
Sara said: “This new service is definitely needed and will be very welcome in the community. For any parent who has children struggling with their mental health, just having somewhere to go where you can relax, escape for a little while and meet like-minded parents with similar issues who understand will be so beneficial.
“We’re lucky in that we’re managing for now, but I know there are parents out there who are despairing, stuck on a waiting list and feel they have nowhere to turn to get the help they need now.
“Being able to speak to non-judgmental professionals who can provide the right support and guidance – as families will be able to do at The Haven – will really help to take the stress and strain off parents, and the kids themselves.”
The Haven will be piloted in Tranent for two years to ascertain the scale of demand. It is modelled on the charity’s existing Hospital Hub, which delivers very similar interventions to children and families visiting Edinburgh’s Royal Hospital for Children and Young People (RHCYP).
The service is a response to ECHC’s research which found that over half (59%) of Scottish families have a child who has experienced a mental health concern. Once proven, it will be scaled and delivered in community settings and available to all children struggling with their mental health, and their families, across Scotland.
Roslyn Neely, CEO of ECHC, said: “When it comes to tackling the mental health crisis facing children and young people in Scotland, there is no time to wait.
“In developing this service, we spoke to many families who feel they just don’t know where to get the support and advice that they so desperately need. We asked them what was missing, and overwhelmingly we found families just needed somewhere to go for a bit of help while they’re waiting, or if they know professional help isn’t an option for them.
“The development of The Haven has been led completely by children, young people and families. What they asked for was a wellbeing service like that already provided at the children’s hospital. Somewhere the whole family can go and do everything from take part in fun activities, to having a complementary therapy or just a hot cup of tea and the chance to offload.
“Together we have an opportunity to help our children with earlier support for good mental health to improve their wellbeing and avert a potential mental health crisis. We hope The Haven will be part of the solution.”
Paul McLennan, MSP for East Lothian added: “I’m delighted to see Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity launch their new mental health pilot in Tranent.
“I’ve met the team on a number of occasions – this is a groundbreaking initiative and I look forward to working with them closely in the months ahead.”
If you live within the catchment area of Ross High School and/or are registered with Tranent Medical Practice and need support, please get in touch at thehaven@echcharity.org or call 0131 202 9212.
