NHS England and NHS Improvement

Covid-19 National Health and Wellbeing Offer:Support for all NHS staff

For more information on the national support offer, please contact:

Claire Parker (claire.parker10@nhs.net) or Cheryl Samuels (cherylsamuels@nhs.net)

17 June 2020

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Mental health support for all NHS staff

We recognise that it is really important for staff to look after their own health and wellbeing, whilst

supporting patients and their family. As such, NHS England and NHS Improvement have been

working on developing a series of support offers for NHS staff, to enable staff in all roles to feel

well at work during the Covid-19 pandemic.

• One website that all resources will be made available on: https://people.nhs.uk/help/

• A new corporate Twitter account specifically focussing on staff health and wellbeing

• @people_nhs

• #OurNHSPeople

• A free national confidential staff support line, operated by the Samaritans, which staff can

access via phone or text from 7:00am – 11:00pm, seven days a week.

• Call 0300 131 7000

• Text FRONTLINE to 85258

• Free access to a selection of mental health self help apps

Mental health support for all NHS staff #OurNHSPeople @people_nhs

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Free access to mental health self-help apps

Consultant Anaesthetist“For anyone who hasn’t taken the plunge

with the NHS subscription to @Headspace -I’ve always been sceptical of apps like that, but last night I used one of their sleep ones before bed, and slept better than I have in

about five years.”

Assistant Psychologist“I’ve found the mindfulness apps massively

helpful over the past couple of weeks in continuing to offer the groups to both staff and

service users.”

• Details of each mental health app available to NHS staff and how to sign up can be found on the

People site here: https://people.nhs.uk/help/support-apps/

• To date there have been more than 125,000 downloads across the apps.

• Popular topics include support with sleep, relaxation sounds and daily mood boosts.

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Sleepio and Daylight (developed by Big Health):

Sleepio is a clinically-evidenced sleep improvement programme that is fully automated and highly personalised, using cognitive behavioural techniques

to help improve poor sleep. Daylight is a smartphone-based app that provides help to people experiencing symptoms of worry and anxiety, using

evidence-based cognitive behavioural techniques, voice and animation.

How NHS staff can get access: Head to http://sleepio.com/nhs-staff or http://trydaylight.com/nhs-staff and register with your NHS email address. If

prompted, use code NHS2020 and sign up for an account using your name and email address.

Unmind:

Unmind is a mental health platform that empowers staff to proactively improve their mental wellbeing. Using scientifically-backed assessments, tools and

training you can measure and manage your personal mental health needs, including digital programmes designed to help with stress, sleep, coping,

connection, fulfilment and nutrition.

How NHS staff can get access: Go to www.nhs.unmind.com/signup and sign up with your NHS email address. Download the Unmind app from your app

store - your organisation name is NHS.

Headspace:

Headspace is a science-backed app in mindfulness and meditation, providing unique tools and resources to help reduce stress, build resilience, and aid

better sleep.

How NHS staff can get access: Go to https://www.headspace.com/nhs and select clinical or non-clinical staff to start enrolling. Sign up with your NHS

email address.

SilverCloud:

SilverCloud is a suite of programmes that is designed to help you think and feel better.

How NHS staff can get access: Download the SilverCloud app from your app store. When prompted, use access code NHS20202.

Free access to mental health self-help apps

Mental health support for all NHS staff #OurNHSPeople @people_nhs

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Movement for Modern Life (MFML):

Movement for Modern Life is a British online yoga platform that brings together world class yoga teachers, inspired movement and mindfulness into

your home or a place of comfort. It encourages it’s members to look after their physical health, in order to promote good mental health and wellbeing.

NHS staff are being offered free access to a range of resources, including breathwork sessions, stress reduction classes which can be done at a time

convenient to you, in your home or in the workplace, a selection of energising morning classes and evening classes that aim to help you wind down or

recharge.

How NHS staff can get access: Head to www.movementformodernlife.com and register with your NHS email address.

Stay Alive (Grassroots):

Grassroots is a charity who aim to prevent suicide through open and direct conversations. Their free app is an easily accessible suicide prevention

resource, packed full of useful information to help colleagues stay safe. Colleagues can use it if they are having thoughts of suicide or if you are

concerned about someone else who may be considering suicide.

How NHS staff can get access: Go to https://www.prevent-suicide.org.uk/find-help-now/stay-alive-app/ and sign up with your NHS or personal email

address. You can also download the app from your app store.

Free access to mental health self-help apps

Mental health support for all NHS staff #OurNHSPeople @people_nhs

Social care access to mental health self-help apps• Social care and care home staff currently have free access to SilverCloud, Sleepio, Daylight and

Stay Alive. Staff can access these apps using the same registration process as NHS staff,

outlined on the People site: https://people.nhs.uk/help/support-apps/

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• Access to a free national confidential bereavement

support line, operated by Hospice UK, available from

8:00am – 8:00pm, seven days a week.

• Call 0300 303 4434

• Access to a suicide support mental health app to support

those experiencing suicidal ideation or those concerned

about others.

• Guidance on how to be a good leader during times of

bereavement.

• A selection of resources for further learning and to support

staff facing bereavement.

• https://people.nhs.uk/guides/bereavement-support-

during-covid-19/

Bereavement support

Mental health support for all NHS staff #OurNHSPeople @people_nhs

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• Family communication to support staff during the Covid-19 outbreak including guidance for

key workers on how to have difficult conversations with your children about your role as a key

worker

• https://people.nhs.uk/uncategorized/communicating-with-children-about-covid-19/

• The Cityparents’ programme offers expertise and support to help you balance work with

family life. The programme consists of a collection of positive and practical support for

working parents, delivered through expert-led webinars/seminars, advice, peer insights,

online articles, blogs and podcasts.

• https://people.nhs.uk/help/support-apps/cityparents/

• Balancing home schooling and working - A selection of resources and guidelines, top tops

and key pointers to support staff in juggling their current role as they work from home,

alongside home schooling younger school-aged children.

• https://people.nhs.uk/guides/resources-for-balancing-home-schooling-and-working/

Key worker and family support package

Mental health support for all NHS staff #OurNHSPeople @people_nhs

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Occupational Health – National DPS FrameworkNHS England and NHS Improvement have appointed SEQOHS-accredited organisations to a

Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) framework. There are now 30 suppliers on this framework.

NHS organisations can buy-in additional support to supplement existing OH or EAP services without

the need to undertake a tender exercise. The following services are available on the DPS framework:

• Health clearance for returning NHS workers and volunteers

• Remote (on-line/telephone) OH Physician / OH adviser management referrals

• Covid-19 helpline

• Wellbeing services including counselling and coaching and MSK/Physio

• On-site support from OH nurses, OH Advisers and OH Physicians

The framework is being held on a restricted website. In order to access the framework, all NHS

organisations (including primary care) can sign up here: http://www.nhshealthatwork.co.uk/bulletin-

alerts.asp. If they are already a member of the NHS Health at Work Framework:

https://www.nhshealthatwork.co.uk/covid.asp

Mental health support for all NHS staff #OurNHSPeople @people_nhs

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• One of the top three reasons that staff have contacted the dedicated telephone support

line for NHS staff (0300 131 7000) is due to financial concerns. Staff can access

guidance and tips to help managers support colleagues who may have experienced

financial difficulties during Covid-19 here:

• https://people.nhs.uk/guides/financial-wellbeing/

Financial support

Mental health support for all NHS staff #OurNHSPeople @people_nhs

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Leadership Support Circles

• Leadership Support Circles are a series of short, themed and

interactive online sessions based on 10 principles for leading

compassionately during Covid-19 and provide an opportunity for

safe time and a reflective space for those with a responsibility for

managing others. NHS staff can sign up to the Leadership

Support Circles here.

Staff Common Rooms

• All NHS staff are able to access the recently launched Staff

Common Rooms, on a daily basis. The common rooms are an

opportunity for NHS people to come together virtually and support

each other during this difficult time in a safe and supportive

environment. Keep up to date with the schedule of sessions

available for all NHS colleagues here.

Connecting with others

Mental health support for all NHS staff #OurNHSPeople @people_nhs

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Primary Care Coaching

• All staff working in the delivery of primary care services (either employed by the NHS or working

with an NHS funded employer delivering an NHS funded primary care contract) now have

access to individual coaching support available with a highly skilled and experienced coach,

offering a space to offload the demands of whatever staff are experiencing and be supported in

developing practical strategies for dealing with this. Staff may find that a one-off conversation

equips them with the strategies needed to cope and stay well, or it might be that a few sessions

is preferred.

• https://people.nhs.uk/lookingafteryoutoo/

Mental health support for all NHS staff #OurNHSPeople @people_nhs

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Coaching for mentors and leaders• NHS England and NHS Improvement has partnered with selected coaching companies and other

leading-edge organisations to provide free, confidential, 1-2-1 coaching or mentoring support

sessions for all NHS and social care leaders.

• https://people.nhs.uk/support-for-leaders/coaching-and-mentoring-for-leaders/

• Coaching support: Leading in the moment

• This coaching offer is available for managers at all levels. Managers will be matched with an

experienced coach who will virtually support them in finding real-time solutions to help them

move forward.

• Coaching support: Leading in and through the crisis

• This coaching offer is available for senior leaders. Leaders will be matched with an

experienced coach who will virtually work with them to strengthen their leadership by creating

space for them to stand back, slow-down and reflect.

• Mentoring support

• This mentoring offer is available for all leaders at all levels. A Military mentor of similar

seniority (up to and including ESMs and Board members), will support leaders in finding real-

time solutions to help them move forward, finding positive ways to stay resilient and overcome

immediate challenges.#OurNHSPeople @people_nhs

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5-Min “Me” Space

• One of the most popular topics on the NHS People site is the recently published 5-Min Me

Space section:

• https://people.nhs.uk/compassion-spaces/5-min-me-space/

• What is it?

• Find five minutes in the day to ask yourself ‘questions

that matter’ to help you to develop a quiet mind, and

practice kindness and compassion towards yourself,

whatever is going on in your world.

• Staff could do this before or after a shift, or during

down time when they are planning the next run of

shifts – whenever works best for them.

Mental health support for all NHS staff #OurNHSPeople @people_nhs

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Coming soon• A bespoke support offer that speaks to the

needs of our BAME staff, including a culturally

sensitive meditation app.

• REACTMH® conversation training to equip

NHS managers, supervisors and those with

responsibilities for NHS people to confidently

hold supportive and compassionate mental

health and wellbeing conversations.

• Kings College London screening site for

understanding your mental health and

signposting to support and intervention.

• Regional resilience hubs to support access to

mental health services.

• Citizens Advice priority access roll out.

• Relate relationship support pilot.

Mental health support for all NHS staff #OurNHSPeople @people_nhs

You can access all new and existing support offers via the NHS People site: www.people.nhs.uk