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Shout provides a free 24/7 text support service for NHS staff who are working on the frontlines right now. Text FRONTLINE to 85258 to talk by text with a trained crisis volunteer.
Toolkit
Our Frontline: support for healthcare workers
Right now, healthcare workers are facing an extremely challenging situation, doing important and difficult work. Taking care of your mental health and managing feelings might be taking a back seat.
Let us help
To talk by text, text FRONTLINE to 85258 any time. To talk by phone for free, call 0800 069 6222 from 7am to 11pm if you’re in England, or call 116 123 any time if you’re elsewhere in the UK.
It’s all in confidence, with trained volunteers.
There’s more support and advice in the resources we’ve chosen below. If you’d like to see a wider range, click here to see everything we’re recommending for frontline healthcare workers.
Resources in this toolkit:
NHS staff in England can call Samaritans' dedicated confidential support line for free on 0800 069 6222, 7am–11pm every day of the week. NHS staff anywhere else in the UK can call on 116 123 to speak with a trained listening volunteer.
You can also talk to trained staff and counsellors who are experts in bereavement, grief and trauma, provided by Hospice UK and Just B for health, care and emergency workers during the pandemic. Call 0300 030 4434 free and in confidence, 8am to 8pm 7 days a week.
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There will be times when the pressures feel overwhelming. This easy one-page PDF gently discusses some of the emotions you may be feeling, reassures you that your responses are normal, and offers advice for coping with this difficult situation.
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There are also several wellbeing apps that are currently free for NHS workers. This page explains what they each do and how to access them.
Resources
A field guide to self-care
Your work environment is intense, and perhaps traumatic. Help for Heroes, through their work supporting veterans, are experts in this - and have produced this guide specifically to support you at this time.
The fact is, COVID-19 is causing many people to die before their time. Working in this environment, supporting both patients and the bereaved, can take its toll. This guide can help make it a little easier to think, and talk, about.
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How are you feeling today, NHS?
This easy-to-use tool was developed with NHS staff to help you talk openly about emotional health, take stock of how you and your team are doing right now, and see what you can do to have more good days than bad.
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Coronavirus and your wellbeing
It isn't only about work, though - you might have other worries and issues during the pandemic. This short guide explores some of the mental health difficulties you might experience, and some ways to stay well.
Finally, perhaps you're managing others and are thinking about them too. This site from the COVID Trauma Response Working Group is full of resources to help keep teams happy and productive during these challenges.