Mental health resource for employers
Advice, tips and practical planning tools for supporting your apprentices' mental health at work
We've developed this resource with Penumbra, a leading Scottish mental health charity. They've provided expert information to help you:
create a positive culture where mental wellbeing is supported
have clear plans and procedures to support people who are struggling with their mental wellbeing
support staff who you're concerned may be experiencing suicidal or self-harming thoughts
Why use this resource?
In your work or learning environment, it's likely that many people will be struggling with their mental wellbeing at times.
As an employer, you can create a culture of positive wellbeing and support people with mental health difficulties. Difficulties with our mental health can be caused by a wide variety of things such as:
difficult past events in our lives, especially traumatic events
difficult things going on in the present such as money worries, relationship problems or housing problems
for some people, the way their brain, mind and body work, sometimes for genetic reasons
We've pulled together sections dealing with different topics so you can easily find what you need.
What are mental health difficulties?
What we mean by mental health difficulties and how you can help apprentices at work.
A healthy working environment
Creating and maintaining a healthy working environment benefits employees at all levels.
Supporting employees around suicide
It's important to know how to support employees at risk of suicide. Find information and links here.
Supporting employees who self-harm
Find out how to support staff who are, or may be, self-harming.
Your duties as an employer
Advice about your duties in supporting the mental health of your apprentices and other employees.
Support organisations for mental health
There are lots of organisations who provide extra support to individuals and your wider workforce. This can be in the form of training and support around mental health issues. We've listed some of these organisations here.
Breathing Space
It provides emotional support 24 hours a day and anyone can call if they need someone to talk to. Your employees can:
call 0800 83 85 87
visit breathingspace.scot
Mental Health Support Service (Access to Work)
This confidential service is available at no charge to any employees with depression, anxiety, stress or other mental health issues affecting their work. Your employees can:
call 0300 456 8114
You can also get an Access to Work Mental Health employer toolkit to help you and your team make the most of the support.
Penumbra
Penumbra provides a wide range of mental health support services across Scotland. Your employees can:
call 0131 475 2380
visit penumbra.org.uk
Samaritans
Samaritans provides a non-judgemental listening space for any kind of emotional distress including, but not only, feelings about suicide. You can call Samaritans free at any time of the day. Your employees can:
call 116 123
SAMH (Scottish Association for Mental Health)
SAMH provides a wide range of mental health support services across Scotland. Your employees can::
call 0344 800 0550
visit samh.org.uk
See Me
See Me is Scotland’s national campaign to end stigma around mental health. Your employees can:
visit seemescotland.org
We are grateful to mental health charity Penumbra for providing advice and information on mental health for this resource. If you need support, you should contact your GP or professional mental-health support organisation.
Mental Health resource for apprentices
We've also pulled together a companion resource for apprentices. This is a good first place to guide people to if you're worried about their mental health.