A support directory; where to ask for help.
Here at Studio 31, we often discuss the positive impacts of nature on health and wellbeing both physical and mental and for us, health is rooted in nature but… there are times when nature alone just isn’t enough. 2020 has been an extraordinarily tough year for many people, for many, many reasons. There have been moves forward including people’s growing connection with nature and understanding of the many benefits it has on our health and wellbeing. But there have also been overwhelming hardships; periods of isolation, disconnection and ill health. For many there have been impacts on businesses and livelihoods, anxieties in relation to loved ones and changes to routine and daily lives. I have seen many friends, family members and colleagues in the industry struggle to navigate this difficult time and there are few people upon whom this year hasn’t taken its toll.
I was recently asked to take part in the Futurescapes “Mental Health at Work “panel (a link to a recording of the panel can be found here) and one of the questions to be asked was “What one piece of advice would you give to someone struggling with their mental health?” Without hesitation, I decided mine would be… Ask for help.
The trouble is, asking for help is hard. For some, it is prohibitively hard. When I thought about this advice, it took me back to my early career in mental health where I recognised quite quickly that in addition to the multitude of social and emotional reasons which prevent people asking for help, there are also very real practical barriers. The most obvious ones being “Where do I ask for help?” and “How do I ask for help?”.
This blog is an answer to those questions. Below is a kind of directory, a list of organisations, places and people you can ask for help and a very brief idea of what support you can expect from them. This list is by no means exhaustive, but it is a starting point. Please do comment or contact me if you feel there are important people missing and I will add them. Some of these pertain purely to employment or horticulture (and I have made this clear) but the majority are access for all. Every one of these organisations appears on our mental health policy at work and every single employee has a copy of this policy. I hope that in reading this some employers may add a few of these to theirs.
Two final thoughts; I don’t believe that in sharing this list, I have made asking for help very much easier. Asking for help IS hard. The only thing I can offer is to say that, sometimes… it is also necessary. And to let you know this…whoever you are, whatever you’re feeling…YOU ARE NOT ALONE.
Mental Health Support Services UK Only.
IAPT (Improving Access to Psychological Therapies).Evidence based, talking therapies. Mostly cognitive behavioural focussed therapies. Referral to this service is based on the area to which the employee lives. Self-referrals are welcomed and this service can also be accessed via your GP. Find your local IAPT service here: https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/other-services/Psychological%20therapies%20(IAPT)/LocationSearch/10008
Samaritans. Telephone: 116 123 – Talking and Listening service 24 hours a day. You can also email, write a letter and use the self-help app. This is a warm, welcoming listening ear for, in their words, “anyone who needs someone”. This is not a therapy service. https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/
Perennial. Free confidential advice, support and financial assistance to people of all ages, working in or retired from horticulture. This includes financial advice, a free legal helpline and an online mental wellbeing community. https://perennial.org.uk/home/ways-we-can-help/
Reemploy Mental Health Support Service. Nine months work-focussed mental health support. To be eligible for this service, individuals need to be in permanent or temporary employment and have a mental health condition (diagnosed or undiagnosed) that has resulted in workplace absence or is causing difficulties to remain in work. https://www.remploy.co.uk/about-us/current-programmes/access-work-mental-health-support-service
Togetherall. (Formerly The Big White Wall) Anonymous service to connect with others experiencing depression and anxiety. Courses, Journals, Support and Advice. Focussed on peer support but monitored by professionals. https://togetherall.com/en-gb/
MIND. Mental Health Charity offering a wealth of information, support and advice. https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/
Time to Change. A social movement changing the way we think about mental health problems. Provide support, advice, guidance about mental health problems, challenging stigma and much more. https://www.time-to-change.org.uk/about-mental-health
BACP Find a Therapist Directory and/or Counselling Directory. Directories where employees may be able to find private therapists and counsellors. This would be at your own cost but some therapists do offer reduced rates for low income.
https://www.bacp.co.uk/search/Therapists
Citizens Advice (Practical Support). It may be that practical or financial issues are causing mental distress, Citizens Advice offer a range of practical support services which are useful in supporting with housing, financial, work and other issues https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/
ACAS (Employment Support). It may be a work issue is contributing to poor mental health. ACAS offer free, impartial advice on workplace rules, rights and best practice. They also offer training and dispute resolution. https://www.acas.org.uk/
GP. Anyone is able to access confidential mental health support/referral via their GP both therapeutic and pharmacological.
A and E. If you are in crisis with your mental health, this is no different to a crisis with your physical health. If you need urgent or immediate support, you can attend your local A and E department where you will be offered help and support.
If you are in crisis, please talk to someone. Please attend Accident and Emergency, contact your GP (daytime), telephone the Samaritans or call an ambulance. If you don’t feel able to contact a professional, please contact a trusted friend or family member and perhaps ask them to support you to get in touch with a support service like the ones above. It matters less who you ask, more just that you ask someone. You are not alone.
With the exception of GP, these crisis services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Photo by Jeremy Gallman