“Never be afraid to ask for help, it is out there”

Mental health problems can affect anyone, any time and any day of the year and it is vital that you know where you can seek support.  It is important to understand the stress in your life, what depression is and how to deal with anxiety and to build up mental health resilience. One in four people in the UK will experience a mental health condition in any given year, and it is estimated that approximately 450 million people worldwide have a mental health problem.

In the USA you can seek mental health support via your primary health care provider who can access further specialist support if required. 

Also, listed below are several useful organisations that offer support to you across a very wide range of mental health issues.

The most import thing to remember; is that help is out there.

HEADFIT is designed specifically for the Defence community, it provides 24/7 access to self-help tools that can enhance your mood, drive and confidence, and help manage the stresses of everyday life.

The platform has a range of tools, including, breathing exercises, body posture and relaxation techniques that have been designed for everyone across Defence, whether you are: a new recruit, long-serving personnel, a veteran, civilian staff, or serving in uniform. The techniques are designed so they can be easily integrated into their everyday lives.

HEADSPACE FOR TEENS. Headspace is now free for all teens in the US. If you’re between the ages of 13–18 years old in the US, click here to learn more and how to sign up for Headspace.

BRITISH FORCES SOCIAL WORK SERVICE (BFSWS)

BFSWS provides social work support to all MOD staff both military and civilian abroad.  There is a 24/7 help line ( +44 808168311) and e mail address ( crt.bfsws@coreassets.com).  The help line is staffed by professionally qualified social work staff, who can provide guidance and support to both Line Managers, as well as Individuals. On topics ranging from personnel issues affecting staff who need support and advice, to reporting child safe guarding concerns as well as private fostering arrangements.

The call is confidential and provides a valuable link in ensuring that staff who need to discuss issues and seek advice and support can have 24/7 access whilst abroad. 

COMBAT STRESS HELPLINE for Veterans Mental Health.

Health and Wellbeing Support from Defence Charities

• Royal British Legion offer a range of mental and physical health and wellbeing resources and support.
• Royal Navy & Royal Marines Charity website offers a directory of support to a range of Navy and Royal Marine charity services for personnel and their families in need. Services include financial and debt support, housing, employment and mental health.
• RAF Benevolent Fund’s welfare provision offers financial and emotional support and assistance with childcare and youth support.
• Army Benevolent Fund offers financial support to Army personnel and families.
• SSAFA have specially trained volunteers on bases and stations around the world to give a helping hand to serving families and can offer a range of advice and support.
• Royal Air Force Association offer practical assistance, expert advice and emotional support for RAF personnel and their families.
• Help for Heroes offer a range of support for serving personnel and families, including mental health and recovery support.

RETHINK Improving the lives of people severely affected by mental illness through our network of local groups and services, expert information and successful campaigning. Their goal is to make sure everyone affected by severe mental illness has a good quality of life.

UKBC CIVIL SERVANTS CHARITY – MANAGE YOUR WELL BEING

EMPLOYEE WELLBEING SERVICE (EWS)

DBS Employee Wellbeing Service (EWS) offers a Confidential telephone, or e-mail based Professional, Advice service, which supports Employees experiencing emotional problems as a result of domestic or work-placed issues. We also offer Civilian and Military Line Managers practical advice on how they can best support their employees.

Wellbeing Consultants are fully trained to provide support and information on a wide range of Wellbeing issues resulting from events such as Death in Service, Bereavement, Work Related Stress, Long Term Sick absence, Bullying, Harassment, Misconduct, Managing Poor Performance and Trauma Support. We also help employees experiencing, financial difficulties and addiction, using a wide range of contacts, both locally and nationally, with organisations that can provide expert help and support.

DBS Counselling Service is a telephone-based service, its aim being to prevent / reduce sick absence mainly attributable to Work Related Stress (WRS); Individuals can self-refer and following an initial consultation will be assessed to see if they meet the criteria and are suitable for Counselling sessions.

The Counselling service offers Professionally Trained, Impartial, Counsellors who will listen non-judgementally and encourage clients to talk openly about their feelings and emotions.

The Counsellors will help individuals to develop an understanding of them-selves and to find their own solutions. Our Counsellors are members of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy and adhere to their Ethical Framework for Good Practice in Counselling and Psychotherapy.

All of our Wellbeing Team are MOD employees, and so have a working knowledge and understanding of the MOD, its structures, its working practices and its HR policies.

To contact our team: Telephone number / e-mail address: +44 0800 345 7047 or UK mil exchange 93345 7047 or welfare@dbs.mod.uk.

 Mental Health Foundation

Provides information and support for anyone with mental health problems or learning disabilities.

Website: www.mentalhealth.org.uk

MIND Promotes the views and needs of people with mental health problems. Phone: 0300 123 3393 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm)

THE NATIONAL MATERNAL MENTAL HEALTH HOTLINE launched a new easier-to-remember Hotline number: 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262)

The hotline is available 24/7, via call or text, with staff available to respond in English or Spanish, with access to 60+ other languages as needed.

Our website has FAQ’s and downloadable promotion materials.

You can also order promotional materials from the website, which can be shipped in limited quantities.

988 SUICIDE & CRISIS LIFELINE. In 2020, Congress designated the new 988 dialling code to operate through the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. 988 is more than just an easy-to-remember number – it is a direct connection to compassionate, accessible care and support for anyone experiencing mental health related distress – whether that is thoughts of suicide, mental health or substance use crisis, or any other kind of emotional distress.

 COPING WITH BEREAVEMENT AND GRIEF

It is appreciated that COVID 19 will impact on our all are lives. One of which is that fact that many colleges, both military and civilian will have suffered unexpected bereavements and are finding it difficult to cope or are seeking support. Line Managers as well will be dealing with these issues within their teams. The MOD have produced a Bereavement Line manger guide booklet which has advice and guidance and details other areas of support. This booklet links into other areas of support and highlights practical steps that can be taken to support individual staff as well as teams. See Link.