Feeling overwhelmed, feeling distressed? You’re not alone. Sources of help and support
Resources
If you are feeling overwhelmed or distressed, worried that you are not coping or if you think a colleague, friend or someone you supervise is struggling, there are people who want to listen and understand, places you can go to for support. And if things are just becoming difficult, the Professional Support Unit offers a wide range of opportunities for one-to-one support, workshops and online information and training.
Feeling overwhelmed – helping you stay safe
“Several people have helped to put this leaflet together. Some of us are professionally qualified, some of us have lived through times of great distress ourselves. We all want to make sure that you know what help you can get to stay safe and how you can get it.”
Professional
Practitioner Health Programme
“The NHS Practitioner Health Programme is an award winning, free and confidential NHS service for doctors and dentists with issues relating to a mental or physical health concern or addiction problem, in particular where these might affect their work.”
A London-based service, check the website for access and availability.
PHP-HEE London provides an initial face to face assessment followed by short term interventions for doctors and dentists in training in London, Kent, Surrey and Sussex with mental health and/or addiction issues
Academy 'Support for Doctors' resources
The webpage acts as signposting service and includes useful links to resources for doctors who are experiencing difficulties.
Academy 'Support for Doctors' resources
Doctor Support Service
“Any doctor, you don't have to be a BMA member, where a complaint has been made to the GMC can ask for support from the Doctor support service. Support is available from when a complaint is made until the outcome of the case. Doctors unable to talk with family or supportive colleagues may find the service particularly useful. Support is available from when a complaint is made until the outcome of the case. Unrepresented doctors or doctors with health problems may find the service particularly useful.”
DocHealth
DocHealth is a confidential, not for profit psychotherapy service for all practising doctors in the UK, delivered online by doctors who are specialist consultant medical psychotherapists. The service helps doctors, who self-refer, to explore difficulties, both professional and personal. Fees are charged according to grade and support may be available in cases of financial hardship. Further information can be found here.
BMA Counselling and Doctor Advisor service
“BMA Counselling is staffed by professional telephone counsellors 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They are all members of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy and are bound by strict codes of confidentiality and ethical practice.
The Doctor Advisor service runs alongside BMA Counselling giving doctors and medical students in distress or difficulty the choice of speaking in confidence to another doctor.
If you wish to use the service call 0330 123 1245 - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week”
Doctors’ Support Network
DSN is a confidential peer support network for doctors and medical students with concerns about their mental health. We aim to raise awareness, reduce stigma and influence the agenda regarding physician health.
Website www.dsn.org.uk
General
Tea and Empathy
This page is about the Dr Rose Polge Award by Medic Footprints, which was won in 2017 by Tea & Empathy. Rose was an F1 Doctor in Torbay who ended her life in 2016. Her tragedy has inspired the creation of Tea & Empathy, a peer to peer support network on Facebook whose aims are to create a more compassionate NHS and to reduce the stigmatisation of struggling healthcare professionals
Samaritans
“Talk to us any time you like, in your own way, and off the record – about whatever’s getting to you. You don’t have to be suicidal.
Whatever you're going through, call us free any time, from any phone on 116 123.
We're here round the clock, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. If you need a response immediately, it's best to call us on the phone. This number is FREE to call. You don't have to be suicidal to call us.
Please don’t suffer alone.”
NHS 111
“NHS 111 is the free number to call when you have an urgent healthcare need. It directs you to the right local service, first time. It is available across the whole of England making it easier for you to access urgent healthcare services when you need medical help fast. It is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Calls are free from landlines and mobile phones
When should you call it?
- You need medical help fast, but it’s not a 999 emergency
- You don’t know who to call for medical help or you don’t have a GP to call
- You think you need to go to A&E or another NHS urgent care service but are not sure which one is most appropriate; or
- You require health advice or reassurance about what to do next
MIND
“We provide advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem…..Our local Minds support over 375,000 people across England and Wales. Their services include supported housing, crisis helplines, drop-in centres, employment and training schemes, counselling and befriending.”
NHS Choices
Information on how to access mental health services and what to do in a crisis:
www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/AboutNHSservices/mental-health-services-explained/Pages/accessing%20services.aspx
www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Suicide/Pages/Introduction.aspx
Nurses
Cavell Nurses' Trust provides support to UK nurses during difficult times. They offer help to registered nurses, midwives, healthcare assistants, and retired nurses. They also help student nurses in exceptional circumstances.
Nurses, midwives and healthcare assistants
The Blue Light Infoline offers confidential, independent and practical support, advice and signposting around mental health and wellbeing. The Infoline is just for emergency service staff, volunteers and their families, to help keep you or those you care about well for work.
Paramedics
A range of support services for those currently registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council or those who have been on the register in the past. Includes an online-chat service.
Pharmacists
Same website - also offers e-therapy programmes for pharmacists
Professional Support Unit resources
Individual Support Team – educational support for clinicians with performance concerns (advice, support, remediation, rehabilitation)
Careers – free, confidential and supportive 1:1 sessions for medical and dental trainees in London, online resources and workshops
Coaching – helps increase motivation, manage transitions positively, achieve better work-life balance, enhance confidence in skills
Specialist clinical communication and linguistic services – 1:1 and group sessions for clinicians, addressing individual learning needs for challenging conversations, assertiveness, issues of language and culture, personal effectiveness, reflective writing, exam performance stress and more.
Multiprofessional faculty development - E-learning modules including -
Managing the trainee in difficulty, Managing bullying, harassment & undermining
Fit for work guidance – online advice if you assess and support health professionals who have medical conditions or disabilities; understanding the potential impact on performance and attendance at work; suggestions for practical adjustments to help minimise recovery time and maximise engagement and productivity.
Learning, development and personal effectiveness online resources - Resilience; Insight; Stress, mental health and wellbeing in the workplace; Undermining and conflict in the workplace; Professional boundaries; Professionalism
