Signs you may need support

Changes in how you are feeling:

• Feeling persistently overwhelmed, exhausted or unable to cope
• Struggling to concentrate, make decisions or sleep
• Feeling hopeless, stuck, or unable to see things improving
• Feeling numb, disconnected or unusually irritable

Changes in your thoughts:

• Finding it hard to switch off from worrying or upsetting thoughts
• Thoughts such as “I can’t cope with this anymore”.
• Noticing thoughts about wanting to escape or disappear
• Experiencing thoughts about harming yourself or about not wanting to be here

Changes in your behaviour:

• Withdrawing from colleagues, routines or social contact
• Avoiding things that you would usually manage
• Working much longer hours, or struggling to stop working
• Using alcohol, medication or other substances more than usual to help you to cope

Changes in your physical wellbeing:

• Sleep difficulties (sleeping much more or much less than usual)
• Loss of appetite or overeating
• Feeling constantly tired or run down
• Experiencing persistent tension in your body. For example, muscle tension, particularly in your neck and shoulders or tension headaches

Changes in your functioning at work:

• Finding it is harder to concentrate or make decisions
• Feeling less confident in your work than usual
• Feeling detached from the work that you are doing
• Finding that small tasks are overwhelming

Support available to you

Knowing the right routes for support helps you and your colleagues feel safe and supported.
Remember, you do not need to be in crisis to ask for support. If something doesn’t feel right, speaking to someone early can help.

The Staff wellbeing hub is the Trust's home for all wellbeing information to support staff. The hub is part of our Occupational Health and Wellbeing Service's (OHWB) support offer

Heathhero: OHWB have partnered with HealthHero to offer enhanced support for staff wellbeing.  Through Healthhero’s Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), you can access:

• Counselling appointments via phone, video, live chat, or messaging
• A dedicated Wellbeing Hub with resources like newsletters and webinars on a range of topics
• ‘In-the-moment’ advice available outside of OHWB’s usual hours
• Practical guidance from expert partners in money, legal, health, and wellbeing
• Free access to Living Life to the Full” is award-winning online Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT).

Mental Health First Aiders (MHFAiders) are trained colleagues across the organisation who can listen, offer reassurance and guide you to further help

Further support available outside of the organisation can be found here External support :: YourSpace Mersey Care

Supporting a colleague

We often notice small changes in our colleagues before they tell anyone how they feel. Taking the time to check in can make a significant difference.

How to begin a supportive conversation:

• “I’ve noticed you haven’t seemed yourself lately. How are things?”
• Allow space for honest conversation without pressure
• Listen without judgement or interruption

If concerned, ask directly:
 “Are you having thoughts of suicide?”
 Asking does not increase risk; it opens the door to support.

More information and guidance on supportive conversations can be found here: Suicide bereavement support :: YourSpace Mersey Care

What to do if a colleague shares they are struggling

• Stay with them and offer calm reassurance
• Encourage them to speak to Occupational Health, their manager, or a Mental Health First Aider. You can access this via ESR Home - ESR Hub - NHS Electronic Staff Record
• Help them contact crisis services if needed
• Follow up afterwards to maintain connection and support
• Training that can help you feel confident

• Ensure you are up to date with your Mandatory Suicide Prevention Level 1 training
• Zero Suicide Alliance (ZSA) training modules feature short, practical e‑learning designed to increase understanding and confidence

Postvention: Support After Suicide

If a colleague or someone connected to your team dies by suicide, the emotional impact can be profound. It is important that staff feel supported and able to access the guidance they need during this time.

The HR37 Supporting Colleagues Policy sets out how managers and the organisation should respond when colleagues are affected by workplace incidents, distress or challenging events.

You can find a range of support information here Suicide bereavement support :: YourSpace Mersey Care

If you or a colleague is in immediate danger

Call 999 or attend your nearest A&E

If you or a colleague requires urgent mental health support call NHS 111 and select the mental health option. You can also access NHS 111 online via: 111.nhs.uk. If you aren't able to make the call yourself, anyone can call on your behalf.

If you’re deaf or have hearing loss, please use the following link to be connected to a local crisis service: NHS 111 – British Sign Language (BSL) Service

More information on urgent help support can be found here: Help in a crisis.