Support for colleagues following riots and unrest

Following the devastating stabbings that took place in Southport, there has been numerous incidents of racially motivated violence and unrest.  As a result of being racially abused or witnessing the abuse of others and violence within communities, many staff are likely to be experiencing heightened levels of anxiety and fear for their safety.

If you, or someone you know, has been affected by the riots, they may be experiencing any number of emotional reactions. These reactions are not uncommon and very normal following traumatic event.

Here are some common reactions to traumatic events:

· Feeling jumpy and easily startled

· Having dreams and/or memories that upset you

· Avoiding people, places and things related to recent events

· Trouble sleeping

· Getting easily upset or agitated

· Feeling shocked and/or numb,

· Feeling nervous, helpless, fearful and sad

What support can I access?

Check my wellbeing is a self-assessment for Health and Social care staff with a direct link to mental health support resources. Check my wellbeing – Self-assess your psychological and emotional wellbeing

(leadershipacademy.nhs.uk)

If you need someone to talk to, you can access support by texting SHOUT to 85258 for support 24/7. This service is available to all our NHS colleagues who have had a tough day, who are feeling worried or overwhelmed, or who have a lot on their mind and need to talk it through.

Frontline19 is a free independent, confidential and UK based nationwide service delivering psychological support to healthcare workers, working on the frontline. Fill out the simple, confidential form, and they will match you with an experienced therapist to provide support via your preferred method, (WhatsApp, Email, Phone call or Zoom). Free and confidential service for frontline workers – Frontline19

Harley Therapy offer a free one-off support session to NHS staff with a qualified professional therapist via secure video chat or phone. Each session lasts fifty minutes. Due to demand, they can offer one free support session per person at this time. Book Counselling & Psychotherapy Online | Harley Therapy Platform

Tell MAMA is an independent and confidential support service for those who face anti-Muslim hatred and prejudice across the UK. Tell MAMA provides free counselling support to victims of anti-Muslim hate or Islamophobia in addition to emotional support, legal signposting, advocacy, and court attendance support. Tell Mama: Report in Anti-Muslim Hate or Islamophobia (tellmamauk.org)

For employees of Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust, the BAME network are currently meeting weekly over MS Teams in order to provide each other with peer support. Those interested in joining can email [email protected] to request an invite.

Victim Support is an independent charity dedicated to supporting victims of crime and traumatic incidents in England and Wales. You can call their free support line on 08 08 16 89 111, or alternatively start a live chat with a trained advisor. Their staff and volunteers are trained to listen, offer feedback and provide information. They can help make sense of what you’ve been through and explore your options to help you regain feelings of control. Home – Victim Support

Talking Therapies, or psychological therapies are effective in confidential treatments delivered by fully trained under credited an NHS practitioners. They can help you if you’re struggling with things like feelings of depression, excessive worry, social anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). You can access talking therapies for free on the NHS. You can refer yourself directly to any chance talking therapies without a referral from your GP, or a GP can refer you. https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/talking-therapies-medicinetreatments/talking-therapies-and-counselling/nhs-talking-therapies

NHS Practitioner Health is a mental health treatment service for medical staff. Practitioner Health is for members of the workforce who, due to confidentiality reasons, cannot access care or treatment locally. Practitioner Health

HNY Our People is our fantastic wellbeing app which is part of and builds on the existing support provided across the Humber and North Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership and Humber and North Yorkshire Resilience Hub. HNY Our People wellbeing app – HNY Resilience Hub

Please always consider talking to family, friends and colleagues if you’re struggling or if you feel unsafe.