You can 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 303 4434 free and in confidence, 8am to 8pm 7 days a week.
Our Frontline: support for healthcare workers
Health care workers, talk with someone who gets it.
For free, confidential, emotional support:
- Call 0300 303 4434 from 8am to 8pm, 7 days a week, for trauma and bereavement support from Just B
- Text FRONTLINE to 85258
- Or call 0800 069 6222 from 7am to 11pm if you’re in England, or 116 123 any time or if you’re elsewhere in the UK, to talk to Samaritans
All in confidence with trained volunteers.
Discover resources recommended for health care workers below, or click here to see a longer list of resources..
Resources in this toolkit:
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.
When times are tough, having somebody listen to you without judgement can make a huge difference. Essential services staff who are working on the frontlines, such as healthcare workers, can call the Samaritans for free to speak in confidence with a trained listening volunteer.
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.
Lessons from the battlefield
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.
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.
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.