Funeral Industry News

Mental Health And Well-being Support Available For Workers And Businesses Of Scotland’s Funeral Industry

July 1, 2020 by funeral-industry-news No Comments | Category Burial authorities, Cremation authorities, Funeral directors, Support

The coronavirus outbreak has changed daily life for all of us in Scotland. It’s had a real impact on how many of us are feeling. Below you’ll find mental health and well-being resources to support both people and businesses during and after the crisis, including for the funeral industry. Other resources are available too, however, this post hopefully provides you with a good starting access point and a bit of an overview of some of the services and support that is available.

Support available for workers

Clear your head is a good place to start if you want to understand some of the changes you can make in your daily life to foster better mental health, as well as accessing help and support.

NHS inform is Scotland’s online national health forum. From here you can access expert medical information on a range of subjects from testing for COVID-19 in Scotland, to what to do if you begin to experience symptoms, to your rights as a patient and a lot more.

The Scottish Government’s Information and Support page The Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Scotland includes information and support covering a wide range of topics, including on health and well-being, but also on topics such as support for businesses and our team’s own guidance for funeral directors, burial and cremation authorities.

Urgent support available for workers

If you feel you need talk to someone now, call your GP or a health or social care worker if you are in contact with one. If your surgery is closed or you need to speak to someone urgently, call NHS 24 on 111.

NHS 24 is an online and out-of-hours phone service providing Scottish people with access to health advice and information 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Breathing Space is another option available to all people of Scotland. It’s a free, confidential phone service for anyone experiencing low mood, depression or anxiety.

Breathing Space provide a safe and supportive space by listening, offering advice and providing information. Call free on: 0800 83 85 87

Samaritans provide another option to talk to sometime at any time you like, in your own way, and off the record about any subject affecting you. Call free on: 116 123.

If you ever feel you need to access support, the above resources are all great starting places to find the right information for you.

Support available from industry trade bodies

The National Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors (SAIF) have published articles in their trade magazine ‘Insight’ for businesses on employers’ duty of care and for workers on staying safe at work.

SAIF offer SAIF Support, a free member benefit that provides confidential advice to funeral business owners and to any of their staff who want to access help and support.

The National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD) is offering emotional and well-being support to member funeral firms during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The service is free for member funeral firms and staff can access it by calling 0333 242 3103 and providing the name of the firm they work for, or via email at NAFD@professionalhelp.org.uk. The email address can also be used to request a call back at a time convenient to the caller.

Information for businesses

Your business may already have in place support for its employees regarding accessing mental health services, and it’s great to see ones that do, but not all will for any number of reasons.

If you are a business owner and want to introduce more support measures for your employees, the resources listed above are a good first step to develop your understanding of an employee well-being support programme.

There is also specific business information and support available at our Scottish Government Information and Support page The Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Scotland. Check out the section on businesses, work places and self-employed people.

More information

If you need to find out the latest guidance around COVID-19 and Scotland’s route map to transition out of lockdown, please visit: Coronavirus (COVID-19): Scotland’s route map.

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