Wellbeing
Peer Support
The wellbeing team have set up two peer support groups, these groups meet up virtually every month. The two groups are ‘Mental Health Peer Support’ and ‘Lets Talk Women’s Health’.
Mental Health Peer Support:
This session is open to any Aberdeenshire Council employee. Many people are still not talking about their mental health. Why do you think this is?. Embarrassed, fearful or concerned about the stigma associated with mental health.
This group helps support employees who have real lived experiences of mental ill-health to connect with others, with similar experiences, and give them a platform to share their feelings, concerns, experiences and explore ways of making a positive difference. This session is not recorded and is facilitated by Mitch Robertson and/or Derrick Strong.
Lets Talk Women’s Health:
This session is open to any female with the organisation to come along and chat with other women about issue’s relating to women’s health. This session is not recorded and is facilitated by an external woman called Angela.
To attend either group or find out more, please email mitchell.robertson@aberdeenshire.gov.uk.
Mental Health First Aid Support
Aberdeenshire Council recognises the importance of supporting its employees, particularly where it comes to their mental health.
A group of volunteer employees have been trained to provided mental health first aid should the circumstance arise to support their fellow employees. In the same way a physical first aider can be called to support you with a physical health problem until more qualified help arrives, these mental health first aiders are there to support you in a crisis situation until you are able to receive more qualified help.
They will provide a supportive ear for anyone in such a situation, help to prevent the crisis developing to a more serious state and promote recovery.
Discretion and sensitivity in each case will be adhered to. The current list of active first aiders is attached:
Employee Assistance Programme
Employee Assistance Programme
Modern day life can be highly pressured with individuals facing a variety of issues such as family problems, marital or relationship difficulties, bereavement, work pressure or mental or physical health issues. In recognition of these factors, Aberdeenshire Council offers an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) provided by Vivup which enables employees and managers to access confidential, independent, professional advice and counselling support when they need it.
To access telephone advice, support, and counselling or to arrange face to face counselling, contact Vivup on:
Vivup help line: 0800 023 9324 (free from any standard UK landline or mobile phone).