A series of practical resources to enable leaders and professionals with direct reach to communities and an established, trusted relationship, for example community leaders, social prescribing link workers and faith leaders, to support their communities to reduce their risk of becoming seriously ill from Covid-19

1. 24 September 2020, 12.30 - 1.30pm
Part of the BHealthy webinar series
Getting Mind ReadySpeakers:
Andy Bell Deputy CEO Centre for Mental Health
Helen Wadley, CEO Birmingham MIND
Laura Roden, Service Manager Pause, Forward Thinking Birmingham
Anju Dhir, Culture Change Manager, HR/OD, BCC

2. Agenda
12.30-12.35
Welcome, introductions, and housekeeping:
Stacey Gunther
Public Health, Birmingham City Council
12.35-12.50
12.50-13.05
13.05-13.15
13.15-13.20
Speakers:
Andy Bell - Centre for Mental Health
Helen Wadley - Birmingham MIND
Laura Roden - PAUSE, Forward Thinking Birmingham
Anju Dhir - Birmingham City Council
13:20 – 13:30 Q&A/Panel Discussion

3. HOUSEKEEPING
Please stay muted and turn your cameras off during this webinar.
Please turn off any VPNs (e.g. Netmotion, Cisco, etc.) to save bandwidth.
Please use the chat function to ask questions for the Q&A or you can email
your questions to healthybrum@birmingham.gov.uk
To make this webinar available to those that are unable to join us, today’s
webinar will be recorded. The recording, with both audio and visual will be
shared next week via email and online platforms.

4. BHealthy
A series of practical resources
to enable leaders and
professionals with direct
reach to communities and
an established, trusted
relationship, for example
community leaders, social
prescribing link workers and
faith leaders, to support their
communities in reducing
their risk of becoming
seriously ill from Covid-19
Webinar bookings via:
https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/info/50238/wellbeing_during_the_coronavirus_covid-
19/2247/bhealthy

5. Mental health during Covid-
19
24 September 2020
@Andy__Bell__ @CentreforMH @MH_challenge

6. “We all have mental
health”
About 1 in 4 have a current mental health difficulty
Lifetime risk approx. 3/4
Risk and protective factors determine our positions on the
spectrum during our lives

7. Covid-19 & mental health:
what we know so far
Surveys show sharp rise in emotional and
psychological distress during lockdown, followed
by gradual reduction
Countries affected earlier have seen rising
prevalence of common mental health conditions
(anxiety & depression) and coping mechanisms
including alcohol
Worsening situation for people with existing
mental health problems

8. Traumatic impacts of
coronavirus
Covid-19 is a collective trauma (it’s happening to all of us)
But we’re not all experiencing it the same ways
Impacts of trauma likely to be greatest and longest on
those worst affected:
By the virus
By the lockdown
By the recession
Psychological impacts also likely to be greater for those
with pre-existing traumatic experiences & facing systemic
discrimination and exclusion

9. Groups facing higher risks
to mental health
Children, young people and young adults
People with long-term conditions
Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities
People with existing mental health difficulties
People on low incomes and most precarious
livelihoods
Older people, especially in care homes
Prisoners

10. Mental health impacts
of Covid-19

11. Tsunami or rising tide?
Higher need for mental health support:
At least 500,000 more people experiencing a mental
health difficulty
Higher levels of need among people with mental health
problems
Suppressed demand post-lockdown
But likely to grow over time:
Low and slow help-seeking among many of those
worst affected
Impact of recession won’t be immediate and may be
prolonged

12. Two future scenarios

13. Winter is coming…

14. What would help:
prevention
Sustain financial safety nets, especially for the
most vulnerable and precarious
Support schools, colleges and workplaces to
create trauma-informed spaces & approaches
Tailor employment programmes for young people
& support millennial generation
Improve safety in criminal justice system
Support people with ongoing mental health needs
including physical health & finances

15. Trauma informed
workplaces
Open and supportive culture
Regular signposting to specialist support
Line manager mental health literacy
Flexible policies & practices, eg returning to work,
bereavement
Support for young workers and staff from
minority ethnic communities

16. What would help: meeting
needs
Develop tailored, proactive offer of help to those
at greatest risk (eg people treated in hospital &
their families, bereaved, pregnant women,
shielded people)
Prepare the NHS for this winter (perfect storm of
flu, Brexit, Covid & no furlough)
Target support towards groups facing worst
effects of recession & ensure funding reaches
community-led organisations

17. Planning for additional
need for support
Higher levels of depression, anxiety and PTSD
symptoms
20% adult and 15% child population may need
mental health support over time
Toolkit to help local health & care services plan
ahead now:
https://www.centreformentalhealth.org.uk/forecast-modelling-toolkit

18. Reports and resources
Looking after your mental health:
https://www.centreformentalhealth.org.uk/public
ations/supporting-mental-health-during-covid-19-
brief-guide
Mental health inequalities during Covid-19
https://www.centreformentalhealth.org.uk/covid-
19-inequalities-mental-health
Covid-19 and the nation’s mental health
https://www.centreformentalhealth.org.uk/covid-
19-nations-mental-health-july-2020

19. Thank you
andy.bell@centreformentalhealth.org.uk
www.centreformentalhealth.org.uk

20. Getting
Mind
Ready
Helen Wadley - CEO

21. What Does Birmingham Mind Do?
We estimate that we have contact
with over
• 4500 Service Users per annum
through our services
• 2000 people per annum
through our Workplace
Wellbeing training.
• 15,000 people through our
Helpline

22. What resources are available
to people and organisations in
Birmingham to support
people* to be “Mind Ready” for
the winter
*Mainly over 18 years of age

23. For internal use only
Mental Health: What do we mean?
A more than temporary state of mind that adversely affects
your ability to function on a day to day basis
Positive mental health Mental illness
We all have mental health, some of us
have mental health problems just like some of us have physical
health problems!
Everyone moves
up and down

24. • The more Mental Health is talked about/raised as an issue the
more people feel they have permission to ask for help or discuss
how they are feeling.
• To help we need to be: Persistent, Honest and Try different
ways or offer others that might just have a different way of
getting through to the person that It’s ok to talk.
• In workplaces the employer of course needs to play their part and
campaign weeks/days/events/initiatives/training
• Know when to seek extra help – we can all feel out of our depth
at time – but help is at hand
• We know it’s good to ask people “How are you doing?” but can
worry about where the time comes from if they pluck up the
courage to say they’re struggling
How and why we need to talk to
people about their Mental Health

25. “One Stop Shop” for Wellbeing
and Mental Health Support in
Birmingham
We worked with NHS, Mental Health Trusts
and other Third Sector organisations to
create a “one stop shop” for mental health
support and wellbeing advice for citizens in
Birmingham and Solihull available 24 hours
a day
0121 262 3555

26. Mental Health Helpline (18yrs plus)
Birmingham Mind operate it 9am-11pm 7 days a
week and then at 11pm it diverts to the local Mental
Health Trusts. The helpline offer includes:
❖ Wellbeing Advice and Guidance, including self help
literature
❖ Signposting to local organisations
❖ Access to Birmingham Mind Being Well Courses
❖ Access to full range of psychological interventions
❖ Access to mental health services
❖ Crisis support (inc face to face)
❖Access to specialist employment services etc

27. Accessing Mental Health
Helpline
• Lid
0121 262
3555
Multi Lingual live Chat
(limited hours) via
Birmingham Mind website
www.birminghammind.
org
Email:
help@birminghammind.
org
*Helpline uses interpreters if/when needed

28. Birmingham Mind “Being Well”
Courses
Courses open for booking at the moment are:
❑ Mindfulness – beginning 15th Oct
❑ Building Resilience to Stress 30th
September
❑ Coping in times of the Corona Virus 3rd
November
Other courses such as Nature and Wellbeing
coming soon.
Offered via zoom

29. Other Services Available
• Recovery Hubs
• Specialist Employment Services
• Support with tenancy issues
• Community Development Workers
• Advocacy
Work closely with the Bereavement Services
coordinated by Cruse Birmingham

30. Where else can I get more
information and help?

31. The Waiting Room (Birmingham
Based) .
www.the-waitingroom.org

32. Local Campaigns that
Workplaces and Groups can
tap into

33. “This is Me ” Campaign West
Midlands
Challenging Stigmas of Mental Health
in Workplaces:-
• Videos
• Time To Change Pledge
• Samaritans Video
Coordinated by West Midlands
Combined Authority

35. On line training options have increased
Recommend:
Covid Psychological First Aid
https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/psyc
hological-first-aid-covid-19
Samaritans Active Listening (workplace)
https://www.samaritans.org/
Training

36. Birmingham Mind offers formal training such as
• Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Adult / Youth versions including On-line
training
• Mindfulness 8 week courses (And taster sessions)
• Line Manager training one day or half day
• Workplaces also send delegates to us for MHFA training
Other Birmingham Third Sector organisations offer training in their specialist
areas as well ie Cruse delivers bereavement training, Common Unity offer
suicide prevention training
Training

37. Connect
Even with restrictions make sure you are connecting with friends
and family. Community groups
Be Active
Birmingham has fantastic parks.
Give
Community Champions, volunteering
Learn
Online opportunities
Take Notice
Look around, be aware of your thoughts.
Marvel at nature, architecture in Birmingham
Opportunities in Birmingham to use
the “5 ways to Wellbeing” approach

38. So to sum up
• Lots of resources out there nationally and locally to help people
improve their mental wellbeing and resilience as well as
understanding mental health issues better
• We all need to invest in our mental wellbeing – particularly at the
moment
• Do a wellness audit – use 5 ways to Wellbeing to help
• For Birmingham Citizens dedicated local resources:-
– Online portal – The Waiting Room
– Mental Health Helpline 0121 262 3559

40. Emotional Wellbeing for children,
young people and young adults in
Birmingham
Laura Roden
Pause Service Manager
delivered by The Children’s Society part of Forward Thinking Birmingham
When we are emotionally healthy we:
Function in society,
Cope with life’s challenges,
Understand and manage our emotions,
Accept ourselves.

41. https://bwc.nhs.uk/youve-been-missed
supporting pupils, parents, carers and education professionals to aid our
children and young people return to school

42. Anonymous online advice, support
and counselling service.
Available to all young
people in Birmingham
from 11-25 years of age

43. What can Pause help with?! Anything relating to emotional wellbeing!
Our aim is to help you boost resilience as well as develop coping skills for when life presents
challenges.
Pause can:
• recommend strategies and techniques that aim to make life easier – for
example, how to manage a panic attack, or how to improve sleep.
• give practical suggestions and advice
• We can provide a listening ear if you have something you want to get off your
chest.
Pause can’t:
• We won’t assess or diagnose any conditions.
• We won’t automatically make referrals into other services.

44. Getting Mind Ready
Anju Dhir (Culture Change Manager- Health & Wellbeing, Organisational Development)

45. ▪ Check in with team members regularly.
Managers should establish regular check-ins
and try using video to maintain face-to-face
contact.
▪ Be proactive & make time to talk about how
you are feeling
▪ Encourage open and honest conversations
when feeling overwhelmed or in need.
▪ Access to support
▪ Support relationships between colleagues and
teams by setting up a buddy system, share
good news stories about personal or working
lives
▪ Take stock/check the effect of these measures
regularly
▪ Download the Care Workforce free app or
access online if you work in adults social care
in England:
https://workforce.adultsocialcare.uk/login
Wellbeing Support for Front-Line Staff
Source: Department of Health & Social Care
PAGE 45

46. British Association of Social Workers – ethical guidance
for social workers considering some of the specific
choices and decisions that practitioners are having to
make in this emergency situation, including rationing of
support and resources and more stringent prioritisation
British Safety Council – a free online course that
highlights some of the pressures their teams might face,
helps managers become more aware of their own
actions and behaviours, and most importantly it helps
manage and reduce stress levels within their team.
British Safety Council – a free online course that
provides line managers with the skills and confidence to
listen to and talk with someone who feels that they need
to share a problem regarding their mental health.
Community Care – a guide on developing emotional
resilience and well-being which has been updated in
light of the Coronavirus
Wellbeing Support for Front-Line Staff
Source: Local Government Association
PAGE 46

47. PAGE 47
Wellbeing Support for Front-Line Staff
Source: Local Government Association
Skills for Care – a guide for
adult social care staff on how
to build personal resilience
with practical tasks to
complete that help individuals
to recognise pressure,
develop coping strategies
and gives advice on creating
a network of support.
A free online platform
containing 8 easy-to-access,
short practical exercises to
help NHS and frontline staff
alleviate and combat high
anxiety, panic and fatigue
while responding to the
coronavirus pandemic.
Able Futures – delivering the
Department for Work and
Pensions Access to work
mental health support service
for individuals, employers and
apprenticeship providers.
Community Care- Developing
emotional resilience and
wellbeing
Local Government Association COVID-19
social care staff wellbeing resources for managers,
wellbeing information pack for care staff

48. Exercises & Tools to Support Front-Line Staff
Source: https://www.nhsinmind.co.uk/
PAGE 48
The psychological and physical
effects on our workforce are
going to be huge with high levels
of anxiety, stress and
fatigue being at the forefront.
8 techniques are designed to
help NHS staff
alleviate and combat high
anxiety, fatigue. Included are
tutorial videos, recorded
exercises and YouTube links to
ensure staff have the tools they
need at their fingertips at any
point during the day.

49. Building
Your Own
Resilience
Source: Skills for Care, Balanced
Approach & Kate Wilson
PAGE 49

50. PAGE 50
Get Support and Talk to Someone
4 Pillars of Support (September 2020)
Birmingham City Council provides the following support to all employees
wellbeingteam@birmingham.gov.uk
Employee Assistance
Programme (EAP)
• All BCC staff have access to free,
confidential, 24/7 access to the
EAP.
• Talk about: low mood, mental
health support, financial wellbeing,
bereavement, relationships,
downloading from a bad day.
• Access counselling services
• Website: podcasts, downloadable
guides on emotional wellbeing,
personal resilience etc.
EAP BCC Intranet Link-
https://intranet.birmingham.gov.uk/inf
o/20216/our_services/714/employee_
assistance_programme_eap
Chaplains
Our Chaplains provide confidential &
independent support for anyone, of
any/no faith.
Support on family worries, health
concerns, bereavement, work
relationships, mental health.
Our Chaplains also host mindfulness
sessions for BCC staff Monday-
Thursday 12.45-13.15pm on Teams.
Join mindfulness here.
Access Chaplains Intranet information
Mental Health First Aiders
BCC have 140 Mental Health First
Aiders across the council, who have all
attended comprehensive 2-day
training. These colleagues are
available, like a physical first aider, to
support when people need it.
Our Mental Health First Aiders are
volunteers, equipped to listen, provide
initial support, and signpost towards
support.
Mental health first aiders will listen, in a
non-judgemental way, to what their
colleague is feeling, and why.
Find a Mental Health First Aider on the
Intranet to access this confidential and
anonymised
Occupational Health
BCC have a SEQOHS accredited OH
Service focused on promoting and
protecting the health of our employees.
The team are capable of providing a
full range of services via the manager
referral route.
Services include:
• Manager Referrals
• New Starter Pre-Placements
• Health Surveillance
• Physiotherapy
• Psychological Therapies
• Ill-Health Retirements
• Provision of expert help and advice
Access the Occupational Health
Intranet information

51. Thanks for listening- any questions?
Anju Dhir (Culture Change Manager- Health & Wellbeing)
wellbeingteam@birmingham.gov.uk

52. Wellness Action Plan
A preventative approach to mental heath
A Wellness Action Plan can serve as a reminder of what you need to do to stay well at work and details what your line managers can do to support you. It helps to develop an
awareness of your preferred style of working, what your stress triggers are and how you respond. It is a commitment to being more preventative rather than reactive to our
health and wellbeing. A guide for employees is available here and a guide for managers is available here.
Key Questions you may speak to your line manager about
✓ How they are feeling today?
✓ What helps you stay mentally healthy at work? e.g. taking an adequate lunch break from your workspace, getting some exercise before or after work
✓ What can your manager do to proactively support you to stay mentally healthy at work? e.g. regular feedback and catch-ups, explaining
wider organisational developments
✓ Are there any situations at work that can trigger poor mental health for you? e.g. conflict at work, tight deadlines
✓ How might experiencing poor mental health impact on your work? e.g. may find it difficult to make decisions, struggle to prioritise work tasks, difficulty with concentration,
headaches
✓ Are there any early warning signs that we might notice when you are starting to experience poor mental health? e.g. changes in normal working patterns, withdrawing
from colleagues
✓ What support could be put in place to minimise triggers or help you to manage the impact? e.g. extra catch-up time with your manager, guidance on prioritising workload
✓ Are there elements of your individual working style or temperament that it is worth your manager being aware of? e.g. need for more quiet reflection time prior to
meetings or creative tasks, negotiation on deadlines before they are set, have access to a mentor for questions you might not want to bother your manager about, have a
written plan of work in place which can be reviewed and amended regularly, tendency to have high/low energy in morning or afternoon
✓ If we notice early warning signs that you are experiencing poor mental health, what should we do? e.g. talk to you discreetly about it, contact someone that you have
asked to be contacted
✓ What steps can you take if you start to experience poor mental health at work? Is there anything we need to do to facilitate them? e.g. might take a break from workspace,
go for a short walk, ask your line manager for support
✓ Do they need any additional support to carry out their job role?
✓ Is there anything else you would like to share?

53. External Health & Wellbeing Support
For all Birmingham City Council staff, we are here to support you! wellbeingteam@birmingham.gov.uk
Mental Health Support
• Mind Infoline - info@mind.org.uk
Telephone: 0300 123 3393 (9am-5pm Monday to Friday)
• Samaritans - jo@samaritans.org
Telephone: 116 123 (Free 24 hours a day)
• NHS Every Mind Matters
https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/
• The Waiting Room Birmingham - Birmingham & Solihull health and
wellbeing resources- https://the-waitingroom.org/
• The Silver Line - information, friendship & advice for older people -
Telephone: 0800 4 70 80 90 (Free 24 hours a day)
• Tough Enough to Care– supporting male mental health -
https://toughenoughtocare.help//
• Age Well UK-Supporting people to enjoy a better old age -
https://www.agewelluk.org.uk/
• The Black, African and Asian Therapy Network
https://www.baatn.org.uk
• Birmingham & Solihull Mental Health Trust -
https://www.bsmhft.nhs.uk/about-us/news/covid-19-mental-health-support-
offer-for-birmingham-and-solihull/
- Key workers (7 days 9am-11pm) 0121 663 1217
- Over 18s in Birmingham and Solihull (7 days 9am-11pm): 0121 262 3555
- 0-18 year olds in Birmingham: 7 days a week (10am-6pm):
0207 841 4470 askbeam@childrenssociety.org.uk
• Action for Happiness- resources for a happier kinder world -
https://www.actionforhappiness.org/
• Crisis Text Line (Shout)- text SHOUT to 85258 - 24/7 crisis text line -
https://www.crisistextline.uk/
• Free app for social care workers -
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/dedicated-app-for-
social-care-workers-launched
• Understanding Mental Health: Self-help Guides
http://www.selfhelpguides.ntw.nhs.uk/bsmhft/SelfHelp
• Forward Thinking Birmingham: mental health support for 25 years &
younger (resources & access centre): 0300 300 0099 (Mon-Fri 9-5pm)
• Papyrus (Prevention of Young Suicide under 35 years old): 0800 068 41
41

54. External Health & Wellbeing Support
For all Birmingham City Council staff, we are here to support you! wellbeingteam@birmingham.gov.uk
Domestic Abuse Support
• Birmingham & Solihull Women’s Aid (BSWAID)
0808 800 0028 between 9.15am and 5.15pm
www.bswaid.org for live webchat 10-2pm
Domestic Abuse Hub: 0808 169 9604
• West Midlands Forced Marriage - 24hr helpline:
0800 953 9777
• National Domestic Violence Helpline - 24hr helpline:
0808 2000 247
• National Centre for Domestic Violence:
0800 970 2070 or Text NCDV to 60777
• National LGBT+ Domestic Abuse helpline:
0800 999 5428
• Rape Crisis England and Wales: 0808 802 9999
• Men’s Advice Line: 0808 801 0327
• Respect helpline (anyone worried about their own
behaviour): 0808 802 0231
• Women’s Aid: https://www.womensaid.org.uk
• Anawim- women’s centre based in Birmingham provides
holistic support: website or Tel: 0121 440 5296
Physical Health Support
• NHS Live Well –https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/
• The Active Wellbeing Society: https://theaws.co.uk/activities/virtual-
wellbeing/
• Sports England:
https://www.sportengland.org/jointhemovement#join_the_movement
• Quit with Bella- Free Stop Smoking app on iTunes, android, website
Financial Health Support
• Free Credit Score - https://www.clearscore.com/
• Stop Loan Sharks: https://www.stoploansharks.co.uk/
• Claim Tax Relief: https://www.gov.uk/tax-relief-for-employees/working-at-
home
• Debt Management Factsheets:
https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/info/20017/benefits_and_support/802/infor
mation_on_managing_your_debt
• Step Change: https://www.stepchange.org/how-we-help/debt-advice.aspx
• Citysave Credit Union:
https://intranet.birmingham.gov.uk/info/20068/benefits/509/citysave_credit_
union

55. External Health & Wellbeing Support
For all Birmingham City Council staff, we are here to support you! wellbeingteam@birmingham.gov.uk
Bereavement Support
• Cruse Bereavement Services -
https://www.cruse.org.uk/ Or call the free helpline: 0808
808 1677
Email - support@crusebirmingham.co.uk
Birmingham - www.crusebirmingham.co.uk
• Winston’s Wish - a child bereavement charity that offers
specialist, practical support to bereaved children, their
families and professionals - https://www.winstonswish.org/
Email: ask@winstonswish.org Helpline: 08088 020 021
• Marie Curie - https://www.mariecurie.org.uk/
Helpline: Helpline - 0800 090 2309
• At a Loss - the UK's signposting website for the bereaved -
https://www.ataloss.org/
• The Good Grief Trust – a charity helping all those suffering
with grief in the UK - https://www.thegoodgrieftrust.org/
Email: hello@nullthegoodgrieftrust.org
• National NHS Bereavement – Helpline: 0800 2600 400
• Sudden - Support for people bereaved by sudden death.
Includes information on losing someone to coronavirus -
https://www.suddendeath.org/ Helpline: 0800 121 6510
• Widowed and Young (WAY) - a peer-to-peer support network to
anyone who was aged 50 or under when their partner died -
https://www.widowedandyoung.org.uk/
• Birmingham Bereavement Advice Service - a free helpline and
web-based information service provided by Co-op Legal Services -
https://www.bereavementadvice.org/ Helpline: 0800 634 9494
• National Bereavement Partnership - A helpline for all individuals
seeking information, advice and support -
https://www.nationalbereavementpartnership.org/ Helpline: 0800
448 0800 SMS Helpline: 07860 022 814
(texts are charged at your standard rate)
• Beyond The Horizon - Local community based bereavement
services for children, young people and families -
http://www.beyondthehorizon.org.uk/ Email:
admin@beyondthehorizon.org.uk

56. Participants Discussion – How can you
support communities with their mental health?

57. PAGE 57

58. KEEPING IN TOUCH
BHealthy handouts can be found on our website
https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/info/50238/wellbeing_during_the_coronavirus_covid-19/2247/bhealthy
The full list of BHealthy webinars
https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/info/50238/wellbeing_during_the_coronavirus_covid-19/2247/bhealthy/2
For support with BHealthy or general enquires email
healthybrum@birmingham.gov.uk
or for Covid enquires email
BCCCovid19@birmingham.gov.uk