Under pressure frontline workers urged to take up mental health support

The tightening restrictions in the Liverpool City Region, in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, will increase the pressure and stress being felt by frontline and key workers, who are being encouraged to take up the support that is available.

Samaritans, Mind, Shout 85258 and Hospice UK launched Our Frontline, with the support of The Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, to provide UK-wide, round the clock, 1-2-1 support by text or phone call and online mental health and bereavement resources to key workers during the Covid-19 pandemic, including all of those in the Liverpool City Region, at www.ourfrontline.org. Over the phone counselling is also available to social care, health and other emergency services staff in the region, and across the country, who may be experiencing the effects of trauma.

Many of the frontline health, care, emergency, education and key workers in Liverpool City Region will not have had the opportunity to recharge or mentally recover from their experience of the first wave of Covid-19 and lockdown. While life was starting to return to normal for many, frontline workers were continuing to report exhaustion and a need to express their anger or frustration. Sleep difficulties such as insomnia and nightmares, as well as a difficulty adjusting to changing Covid-19 rules, are just some of the signs that key workers are feeling ongoing effects on their mental health and wellbeing.

As well as the immediate concerns about the impact of restrictions and a resurgence of the illness itself, frontline and key workers are anxious about the pressure they anticipate in the months ahead.

Victoria Hornby, CEO of Mental Health Innovations, which runs Shout 85258, the 24/7 text support service, said:

“Frontline workers are often the last to ask for help, they can think their problem is not serious enough or worry they will be a burden. We want frontline staff in the Liverpool City Region to know that we are there to support them just as they support us. During the first lockdown our volunteers had text conversations with thousands of frontline and key workers struggling to cope with a wide range of issues, from work pressures to relationships being put under strain. Most have not asked anyone for help before and find that being listened to and supported can make a real difference.”

Tracey Bleakley, CEO of Hospice UK, said:

“The number of unexpected deaths is increasing and frontline health and emergency workers are unused to managing this much death as part of their day-to-day work. At Hospice UK we know that if not properly supported, coping with death and grief can take its toll on mental health. Our Frontline is here to provide that expert support to help professionals.”

Ruth Sutherland, CEO of Samaritans, said:

“This new phase of the pandemic will likely be the source of much stress and anxiety for our key workers, many of whom haven't had time to fully recover or process the events of the past six months. We want to remind frontline workers in Liverpool, and across the country, that we are here to listen and support them with whatever they are facing.”

Emma Mamo, Head of Workplace Wellbeing at Mind, said:

“We recognise the huge contribution our frontline staff play in keeping the nation going during this difficult time. With Liverpool City now in lockdown, it’s really important that frontline workers across the area take steps to look after their own wellbeing. At a time when everything can seem a bit relentless, we’re urging all key workers to make their mental health a priority and make uses of the resources available from Our Frontline.”

Visit www.ourfrontline.org to find out more and text FRONTLINE, BLUELIGHT or KEYWORKER to 85258 for a free, confidential chat with a volunteer right now.

Support the campaign by following @OurFrontlineUK on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Linkedin​

• Details of how to access 1-2-1 support and resources are available at ourfrontline.org
• Anyone can contact Samaritans existing FREE service any time from any phone on 116 123, even a mobile without credit. This number won’t show up on your phone bill. Or you can email jo@samaritans.org or visit www.samaritans.org 
• Every six seconds, Samaritans responds to a call for help
• Shout 85258, is a free, confidential, anonymous text support service for anyone who is struggling to cope. Anyone can text 'SHOUT' to 85258 for a text conversation with a trained volunteer, 24/7.
• Mind is a mental health charity. We provide advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. We campaign to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding. We won’t give up until everyone experiencing a mental health problem gets both support and respect. mind.org.uk
• Mind, with support from The Royal Foundation, Heads Together and 11 other organisation has created a free UK-wide website bringing together free information, advice, resources and training for employees and employers to promote good mental health at work: mentalhealthatwork.org.uk
• Hospice UK’s Dying Matters campaign provides information and advice to help people talk about dying, death and bereavement, and to make plans for the end of life. www.dyingmatters.org We also have qualified and trained experts who are delivering the NHS Bereavement & Trauma Line to support professionals who have experienced a bereavement and whose wellbeing is affected as a result of Corona virus.