Sources of wellbeing during COVID-19

Last week we published a letter from the Duke & Duchess of Cambridge in which they announced Our Frontline - a mental health support service for everyone working frontline during the Covid-19 pandemic.

We now want to bring the service to your attention, specifically because of the dedicated support it offers to the emergency services. 

We are all aware that ambulance staff have an increased risk of mental health problems.  We also know that we are not that great at asking for help - and that’s when we are not in the middle of a pandemic! But we can all take advantage of this service.

The Royal Foundation, MIND, Samaritans, Shout and Hospice UK have come together to provide this single source of support for people who put their mental health under pressure each and every day.

It is private, confidential, practical, non-judgemental and available specifically for ambulance staff between 7am and 11pm seven days a week.

It links to a wide range of information, toolkit items and support services all relating to COVID-19 issues and needs (from working from home to coping with bereavement).

You can talk, text, read, gain tools and techniques to help you all with easy access at Our Frontline.

Some useful links from Our Frontline are:

Shout the UK’s first 24/7 text service, free on all major mobile networks, for anyone in crisis anytime, anywhere.  Powered by a team of trained volunteers it’s a place to go if you’re struggling to cope and you need immediate help.

Text Shout to 85258

Samaritans have introduced a confidential staff support line specifically for ambulance staff, with free to access from 7:00am – 11:00pm, seven days a week.  This support line is for when you’ve had a tough day, are feeling worried or overwhelmed, or maybe you have a lot on your mind and need to talk it through. Trained advisers can help with signposting and confidential listening.

0300 131 7000

Text FRONTLINE to 85258 for 24/7 text support.

Hospice UK are a bereavement support line. A team of fully qualified and trained bereavement specialists are available to support you with bereavement and loss experienced through your work.

Free to access, from 8:00am – 8:00pm, seven days a week - 0300 303 4434

And there are many more. 

Also we remind you of:

• our ‘Extra Sources of Wellbeing Support’ card where these details will be registered, along with a variety of other services and offers that may be of use to you
• our EEAST specific support services guide, giving contact details for the Trust’s occupational health service, Kays Medical, their crisis line and EAP (link), our TRiM service, and Chaplains.

For any further information on any of these issues please contact wellbeing@eastamb.nhs.uk

Take care of yourself and each other.

Health and Wellbeing Team

Published 28th May 2020