The Talking Rooms service is celebrating a year of supporting NHS Lanarkshire staff.
The service provides person-centred counselling services to all staff, who can access up to four 50 minute sessions – either online, face-to-face or via the telephone.
The service is open via direct self referral, or referral by a line manager or occupational health.
The service also signposts to further support including the Psychological Services Staff Support Team and other supportive services.
Since the service launched last year, it has supported 896 staff members.
Annette Shorts, occupational health service manager, Salus occupational health, safety and return to work services, said: “The Talking Rooms aims to help and support staff and to empower them to deal with life’s inevitable difficulties by providing access to confidential counselling.
“Accessing counselling via The Talking Rooms can offer a safe and confidential space to explore a challenge or life difficulty, which could be anything from grief, to feeling stressed or worried or experiencing low mood. Staff can access counselling on days and times that suit their needs. This can be carried out by telephone, video link or even face-to-face at a location that suits the individual.
“The service is totally confidential and staff can self-refer directly for counselling in the safe knowledge that no personal or private information is shared with anyone else
“Over the past year, the service has carried out an average of 158 sessions each month. 870 (46%) sessions were face to face and 1025 (54%) were online.”
Over the year, staff have been able to seek support from the Talking Rooms service for a variety of reasons including work and personal issues, with the main reason being stress and anxiety.
Annette added: “Of those staff members who participated in counselling, 96% agreed that it helped to improve their mental health and wellbeing.
The Talking Rooms are open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. To contact The Talking Rooms, please telephone 0800 138 9150 or complete an online referral form which can be found at: https://www.thetalkingrooms.com/self-referral/
