Please share this new Employee Zone link with all employees who do not have access to email and advise that this latest edition has been published in the Employee News section:
Employee Zone Coronavirus information
This is Mental Health Awareness Week – shining the light on the importance of mental wellbeing and support that is available – particularly during the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.
There has been lots of national awareness raising this week and through our social media channels and we thought it might be helpful to sign-post some of the support that is available. Now, more than ever, it is vital that we all do everything we can to support our own mental health and also look out for friends and loved ones who may be experiencing feelings of anxiety, fear or loneliness in these challenging times.
Mental Health Awareness Week is also an opportunity to celebrate the thousands of acts of kindness that are so important to our mental health. Kindness is the theme for the Mental Health Foundation Scotland’s campaign for Mental Health Awareness Week this year and they have produced a range of resources to help generate conversations around mental health that can change and even save lives.
For more information, visit their website:
Visit the Mental Health Foundation's website
If you are struggling – remember, you are not alone. The Mental Health Foundation has advice on getting help and the East Dunbartonshire HSCP has a mental health team, with information on this available on their website:
East Dunbartonshire HSCP Mental Health Team.
You can also call, in confidence, the Samaritans on 116 123 or Breathing Space on 0800 83 85 87
The Scottish Government (through Healthier Scotland) is running a ‘Clear Your Head’ campaign with practical help and advice to help us all to feel better whilst continuing to follow the ‘Stay at Home’ guidance. To find out more visit Healthier Scotland's webpage clear your head We have been publishing regular updates on where our workforce can get support during this time on our Covid-19 page on the Hub and also in the new Employee Zone of the website.
The support available includes the Council’s Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), Time for Talking, which remains available to all employees and includes:
- A 24 hour helpline for one-to-one support/advice which can be accessed whenever you need it
- Telephone Counselling
- Website – with a variety of tools and resources including podcasts to help employees self-manage life’s challenges, including information on psychological, emotional, personal and physical wellbeing
- Secure online chat application, allowing 24/7 real-time access to a counsellor
The EAP can be accessed by all East Dunbartonshire Council Employees as follows:
Tel: 0800 970 3980
Website: Time For Talking
Password for live chat: TfTnow – please note the password is case sensitive.
We hope that you and your families are staying safe and well and that you find the information provided here helpful – please do share the information with colleagues who might find it beneficial..
Thank you
Ann Davie
Depute Chief Executive, Education, People & Business