Mental Health Specialist Network Scheme
The Trust has launched a new Specialist Network scheme to support you with your mental health. We can put you in touch with a mental health specialist who can work with you to identify the right support for you. The scheme also includes 6 free support sessions.
Support with your mental health
We know that almost half of you live with poor mental health, with anxiety and depression being the most commonly reported conditions, and many of you live with trauma related stress as a result of your life experiences.
We have been working with a wonderful and very experienced counsellor, Diane Stevens, for a number of years to help beneficiaries find support for their mental health. This proved so successful that we asked Diageo to provide additional funding to allow us to make this support available to all of you.
As a result, we have been able to develop a network of approved mental health specialists with a high level of understanding, knowledge and experience of the key issues you are facing and can help find the right support for you – whether that is a counselling, psychotherapy, trauma therapy or other psychological support.
The scheme begins when you identify that you may benefit from some mental health support or are interested in finding out more. This could be following a conversation at an HNA, or perhaps as a result of other contact you have had the Trust, such as for a health issue or financial support for example. At this stage you are put in touch with Diane by someone from the Trust.
How the Specialist Network scheme works
Diane says – “we start off with an initial chat to find out what support you would benefit from and how it can help. After that, I do the research to find the right specialist in your area, or online that you can meet on a regular basis. I contact them to discuss their expertise, experience and qualifications and collect the essential requirements like certificates of insurance and DBS. I can even book the first session for you so that you don’t have to do anything but turn up!”
Since the scheme started we have built up a network of counsellors and other mental health specialists who understand many of the challenges you face, but we are continually adding to this to make sure you can get the right support and can see someone locally if that is what you prefer.
There is no cost to you for the first six sessions, and you don’t have to get involved with payments as the counsellor will invoice the Trust directly.
Why you should seek support if you are worried about your mental health
Diane is a qualified counsellor who has helped hundreds of people work through issues that have been affecting their lives in a variety of ways. This is what she says about the mental health support offered by the Trust.
“Whether its work, family, friends or making decisions, sometimes we feel alone with our troubles but there are professionals who can help by listening and helping you to make sense of things.
"Counselling is the most commonly helpful approach. This is a professional service that involves a trained therapist providing guidance, support and assistance to help you when you are facing personal challenges, emotional difficulties, including stress, anxiety, depression, relationship problems, grief, and more. The goal is to help you explore and understand your feelings, thoughts, and behaviours, and to work towards positive changes and solutions in your life. Therapists use various approaches to create a safe and confidential space for you to express yourself, gain insights and develop coping strategies. Different types of therapists specialise in specific areas, such as relationship and family support, bereavement, substance abuse support or trauma therapy, tailoring their expertise to meet your unique needs.
"Counselling can also be beneficial for personal development, improving communication skills, and enhancing overall well-being – it is a really useful approach to keeping on top of things in your life before they get too much.
"If you feel that you might benefit from some support with your mental health, then please get in touch and let’s have a chat about the next steps. If you are not sure if counselling is right for you, then we can still have a chat to see if we can work out something that might help.
"So many people say that seeking support for their mental health has been the best thing they have ever done. Others say that they wished they had done it sooner. If you are struggling in your own head with issues that are stopping you getting on with your everyday life or making positive choices then we are here to help. You can contact the Trust and then you can be in the counselling room, I will do the rest. So let’s get talking. Speak soon."
Diane
Contact us if you would like to access our Mental Health Specialist Network scheme
Simply call the Trust on 01480 474074, email the team or complete the short form below.
