Mental Health Awareness Week 2021 Resources

Our team has pulled together a list of the mental health services available in Falkirk, split into those providing immediate help and those who offer more general support.

The list is available to view or download as a pdf document (linked for your convenience); please share with anyone and anywhere you think people may need it.

Scottish Government has recognised the impact the pandemic and lockdown restrictions has had on people’s mental health and wellbeing. They have created ClearYourHead.scot, a website full of resources, information and reassuring messages to support people in Scotland during this time, including how important it is to take breaks from news and social media.

There is also a page on feeling better as things reopen, and life and places become busier, with tips on clearing your head, planning, and connecting with others in a way that feels safe foe you.

The most important thing to remember is that daily life has changed for all of us in Scotland, and it can feel worrying, lonely and uncertain. It’s okay to not feel yourself.

For further information, please visit the ClearYourHead website.

Andy’s Man Club

Andy’s Man Club was set up in Halifax by the family of Andy Roberts after his death by suicide.  The group provides per support for anyone who identifies as male or a man over 18 years old, encouraging them to talk and break down the stigma around men’s mental health and suicide.

There are now over 40 groups meeting weekly (currently online via Google Meets), with 6 groups in Scotland; they are keen to establish physical groups throughout the entire Falkirk area, with a number already planned for when restrictions ease. There is no cost to attend.

People who attend the group don’t have to be experiencing mental health issues or suicidal thoughts, and there is no commitment to return after one meeting.  Everyone is welcome.

There are always 5 questions discussed at meetings, with the first 3 always the same:

• How has your week been?
• Something positive from the last week.
• Is there anything you want to get off your chest?

The group then takes a short break for tea and coffee, which is when members tend to share their own coping strategies and experiences.  They then return for the last 2 questions, which tend to focus on reflective or positives.

For further information (including how to attend online groups, or donate), please visit the Andy’s Man Club website.

See Me Scotland

See Me Scotland has been working to highlight how important it is for anyone who identifies as male or a man to be able to talk about how they feel.

Their recent social media poll found that 39% of men were worried about the reactions of others when talking about their mental health, while 30% said that not knowing who to talk to stopped them from opening up.

Additionally, the number of probable suicides in Scotland has risen for the second year in a row, with the majority of these being men, according to new data from National Records of Scotland.

As a result, See Me Scotland is looking at why talking about men’s mental health is important, and what they, and everyone, can do to help.

Societal expectations and stereotypes around having to be strong and “manly” play a role in why men are less likely to talk about their mental health, or seek help for their mental health problems.

See Me Scotland has a series of resources, information and links to help combat this stigma, including myths around men’s mental health, and where to seek help.

For further information, please view the full web article.

“Don’t Mask Your Feelings” is a suicide prevention video encouraging people to talk about their mental health and how they are feeling.

Part of North Lanarkshire Council’s “Let’s Talk” campaign, the video covers the pressures people might feel to hide their true feelings, especially during the pandemic.

There are also resources and contact information to help, including:

• Samaritans by phone: 116123 (free 24 hour service)
• Breathing Space by phone: 0800 838587 (free, open 6pm – 2am)
• for young people, ChildLine by phone: 0800 1111

“Don’t hide your feelings behind a mask. Talk to someone you trust. It will be the first step towards feeling better.”

To view or share the video, please visit the North Lanarkshire Council website.

For anyone who feels disconnected with the Mental Health Awareness Week campaign, the language used or the activities and events held, Camerados founder Matt Poffs has written about his own experiences in a new blog, with key points including:

• “Stop saying mental”, covering why being called “mental” was an insult for some growing up (including Matt himself) and why they still aren’t comfortable with the phrase “mental health” (Matt prefers “the black dogs”).
• “Play more Connect 4” and the benefits of mutual, informal aid.
• “Do the Hokey Cokey”, looking at how for many people, their mental health (or black dog) journey isn’t linear, and how many services don’t cover this.
• “Have fun, it’s a serious business”, and the importance of having fun with other people, and the purpose it gives.

To read Matt’s full blog post, or for further information (including the Camerados model itself), please visit the Camerados website.

During Children’s Mental Health Week in February, our team put together a similar list of resources and information available for people in the local area, focused on the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people, and ways to help with learning at home.

The COVID-19 pandemic and various levels of lockdown have had an impact on us all, but especially children and young people. Remote learning, staying home and unable to see friends and family are all incredibly challenging and difficult to adapt to, as their normal coping mechanisms are no longer available.

To view the full list, please visit our Children and Young People’s Mental Health Resources page.

Glow Scotland’s Practitioner Pages now include a blog, Mental Health and Wellbeing – Supporting Others, that details a number of resources aimed at practitioners working with children and young people across the Forth Valley area.

The resources highlighted include:

• the free STOPP app
• a printable one page document poster collating information about the mental health resources and services available in the Falkirk area
• free to access learning opportunities on this topic
• contact details and referral criteria for local services

For further information, please visit the Glow Scotland website.

The Parent Network Scotland (PNS) has created a Wellbeing Toolkit online course.

The aim of the course is to help parents, carers and families of children of any age, culture, background, or beliefs about parenting, to learn about and try new tools to promote health and wellbeing.

The course is free and will be delivered over 8 one hour sessions in an online classroom. Aims and topics are set for each session so participants can learn in manageable chunks without feeling overwhelmed.

For further information, including how to register your interest in participating, please view the full web article.

NHS Forth Valley has confirmed dates for their next Ask Tell mental health workshops, with Series 7 beginning on Thursday 27^th May, 2pm – 3pm via MS Teams.

The workshops cover mental wellbeing, suicide prevention and having compassionate conversations with people who are experiencing mental distress or may be feeling suicidal. They are designed to support learning at the Informed Level of Scotland’s Knowledge and Skills Framework for Mental Health Improvement, Self Harm and Suicide Prevention.

Each series consists of 3 workshops; while each can be attended on its own, it is recommended that all 3 are attended.

For further information, including how to book your place, please view the full web article.

St Andrew’s First Aid offers a range of First Aid for Mental Health courses designed to suit a range of different workplaces.

Their 3 levels of First Aid for Mental Health courses cover a selection of relevant topics, including: identifying common mental health conditions, starting difficult conversations and creating an action plan for your workplace. Sessions available include 2 day, one day or half-day courses at various locations throughout Scotland.

They have also produced a short video on the benefits  of mental health first aid training in the workplace.

To book a course, or for further information, please visit the St Andrew’s First Aid website.

The Parent Network Scotland (PNS) has created a Wellbeing Toolkit online course.

The aim of the course is to help parents, carers and families of children of any age, culture, background, or beliefs about parenting, to learn about and try new tools to promote health and wellbeing.

The course is free and will be delivered over 8 one hour sessions in an online classroom. Aims and topics are set for each session so participants can learn in manageable chunks without feeling overwhelmed.

For further information, including how to register your interest in participating, please view the full web article.