Mental health is affecting more and more of our members. There is help and support for any employee of Staffordshire Police, please contact our Occupational Health Department or Unison Branch Office for advice and support.
Whether it is for you, a family member or friend who is suffering from mental health no one should be suffering in silence. If you feel that you, or someone you know is, affected by mental health it is important that they contact their own Doctor. They can get you on the road to recovery.
Our own Staffordshire Police Occupational Health Department are currently training staff, across the Force,who can help and support Officers and Staff who are suffering from a mental health illness. They have provided the following leaflets to help support any individual going through a mental health issue.
Providing Mental Health support to someone – Mental health problems are common in the workplace and the symptoms can affect performance, e.g. due to problems with concentration, memory, decision-making and motivation. While some people with mental health problems manage their symptoms without impact on their work performance, others may require short-term or ongoing workplace supports.
6 ways to wellbeing – The ‘6 ways to wellbeing’ are about taking action and making conscious and deliberate choices to look after our wellbeing. The ideas that follow are simple evidence-based actions that are applicable to people from all walks of life. The important thing is what do they mean to you?
A guide to mindfulness – What is mindfulness? Mindfulness is a way of paying attention to the present moment by using different meditation and breathing techniques. It involves consciously bringing awareness to our thoughts and feelings, without making judgments about them. It is a method for observing what is happening at this very moment, in our bodies, minds, and the world around us. By paying attention to our thoughts and feelings in this way, we can become more aware of them, less wrapped up in them, and more able to manage them.
Anxiety NHS self help guide – What is anxiety? Anxiety is a feeling of unease, such as worry or fear, that can be mild or severe. Everyone has feelings of anxiety at some point in their life – for example, you may feel worried and anxious about sitting an exam, or having a medical test or job interview. During times like these, feeling anxious can be perfectly normal. However, some people find it hard to control their worries. Their feelings of anxiety are more constant and can often affect their daily lives.
Post traumatic Stress self help guide – Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder caused by very stressful, frightening or distressing events. Someone with PTSD often relives the traumatic event through nightmares and flashbacks, and may experience feelings of isolation, irritability and guilt. They may also have problems sleeping, such as insomnia and find concentrating difficult. These symptoms are often severe and persistent enough to have a significant impact on the person’s day-to-day life.
Sleeping Problems self help guide– A common side effect of mental health is problems with sleeping. This is a self help guide designed to help with the problem.
ALGEE prompts– ITS GOOD TO TALK! Many people dont know what to say to individuals who are suffering from mental health, so shy away from talking and its the worst thing you can do. This ia a leaflet to help with what to say if you believe someone maybe suffering.
The Staffordshire Police Occupational Health Department are able to offer support and assistance. All employees of Staffordshire Police have the right to self refer in for an appointment and these one to one sessions will be in the strictest confidence between you and the trained OH advisors – click here for their leaflet on how to contact them.
