Health and Wellbeing News

COVID-19 has severely disrupted many aspects of our usual way of life, creating an air of uncertainty for everyone. With restrictions now starting to ease across the UK many of us are still left with a cloud of uncertainty effecting various parts of our lives as we know things can change quickly.

Anxieties are often linked to lack of control, uncertainty is a key factor as to why many of us are experiencing heightened anxieties and stresses during the pandemic. We all have different tolerances of uncertainty and it affects us all differently but either way, it is important to manage uncertainty to help alleviate associated stresses.

Here are some tips to help below which can help you to reduce your anxiety and stress levels by learning to cope with uncertainty better, improve your tolerance of uncertainty and challenge your need for certainty.

Work on things you CAN control

Focus on things that are within your control rather than worrying about things that are not. We often use worrying as a tool to try and prepare for future scenarios but this is often a waste of your energy and an unnecessary cause of stress.

By focussing on things we can control we become more of a pro-active problem solver rather than being a worrier. For example, COVID-19 is out of your control but you can be proactive and take control of your hygiene, clean surfaces etc. and do various things to protect yourself and others from it.

Take charge of what you can and make the most out of whatever happens. This will ease anxieties stemming from uncertainty.

Question your need for certainty overall

Certainty is something that brings us security in life, but when you think about it, how certain are most things? Do we ever have a job for life? Good health for life? Certainty of what tomorrow may bring? Constantly striving for certainty can only bring us worry and anxiety as nothing will ever really be truly certain.

We often have a habit of assuming the worst in situations of uncertainty, but how often does this worse case scenario actually play out? Rarely if at all? We live day to day with the slim chance of losing a job, having an accident, falling ill so why do we struggle to live with the small chance that the worst case scenario will actually play out in certain situations when the likelihood is just as slim?

Accept the uncertainty. When you feel yourself begin to worry remind yourself of the above and try to let the worry go. Uncertainty is a part of life, it is how people deal with it which affects them the most.

More tips and articles on how to help cope with uncertainty

• https://www.ccl.org/articles/leading-effectively-articles/9-tips-for-dealing-with-uncertainty-and-anxiety/
• https://www.helpguide.org/articles/anxiety/dealing-with-uncertainty.htm#:~:text=Allow%20yourself%20to%20feel%20the%20uncertainty.&text=Focus%20on%20the%20present%20moment,you%20anchored%20in%20the%20present
• https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/seven_ways_to_cope_with_uncertainty
• https://www.bupa.co.uk/newsroom/ourviews/cope-with-uncertainty

How can Care first help?

If you feel you may need some emotional or practical support, you can contact Care first on the Freephone number. Care first is a leading provider of confidential, professional counselling, information and advice services. Whilst our BACP accredited Counsellors are available 24/7 to provide support with emotional issues, our expertly trained Information Specialists are available 8am-8pm Monday-Friday to provide advice on any practical issues that may be causing you a stress or worry and help you feel more in control of a situation.

All employees are eligible to use Care first, our services include; telephone counselling, information services and online support. Call Care first on the Freephone number provided by your organisation and you can speak to a professional in confidence.

If you would like to view the Webinar on ‘Coping with uncertainty’ This is being delivered live on Friday 4^th June at 12pm, please use the below link to register for this session –

https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/2080088398327825423

If you are unable to join the webinar live, a recording of the session can be accessed using the same link above after the webinar has taken place.

As the COVID-19 situation is progressing and the Government guidance continues to change, individuals may be feeling anxious. Mental Health support during times like these are paramount, which is why Care first have worked tirelessly to ensure our services remain available 24/7 throughout the pandemic to provide emotional and practical support and ensure we have every aspect of your overall wellbeing covered. Where clinically appropriate Care first are continuing to offer structured counselling through phone and virtual software. At Care first the health and safety of both you the employee and our counselling team are absolutely paramount, any changes to our structured counselling process will be made in line with government guidance.

These services include:

Counselling support

Our team of professionally trained, qualified and BACP Accredited Counsellors are available 24/7 to offer support for personal or workplace related issues. As well as the headline issues surrounding mental health, our Care first counsellors are also trained in dealing with both work and home grievances, bullying & harassment issues, domestic violence, relationships at both home and at work and much more. No matter how big or small the problem may be, our counsellors are here for you to provide you with unbiased support away from the situation. Everyone has very individual needs for support, Care first provides short term focussed counselling, so the Care first Counsellor will assess your circumstances when you call to establish what the most appropriate form of support will be for you. It might be that you just need a brief conversation with the Counsellor that day, or you may benefit from a few more sessions.

Information Specialists

As control, or the lack of it, can be an influencing factor on the impact of stress. Many individuals identify stress as emotional, however, a lack of control around practical issues can be just as impactful. We have expert advisors that have been trained by Citizens Advice who can provide you with comprehensive answers and assistance on a wide range of practical issues which can affect our daily life, these include but are not limited to; redundancy, advice on funerals and probate, legal information, housing and tenancy issues, childcare, eldercare, health, consumer issues, employment, travel and education. Our Information Specialists are also money trained experts and can provide support with a variety of financial queries such as help with budgeting finances and advice with benefits. You can speak with one of our Information Specialists confidentially Monday-Friday between 8am-8pm.

Management Support

If you are a manager, have leadership responsibilities, or look after a team within your organisation, it is as important as ever that your colleagues are made aware of the range of support available from Care first. As well as supporting you to signpost your colleagues to the Care first service effectively to maintain your managerial boundaries, Care first can also provide you with support within your role as a manager. Care first Counsellors are all management trained and can provide support with issues such as if the organisation is going through a period of redundancy, managing change and difficult conversations, workplace performance, remote working, absence management and disciplinary.

Care first Lifestyle

Through the Care first lifestyle site you can access a wide range of supportive information, read helpful articles published by our team, view Webinars covering a variety of well-being topics and even speak with a Care first Counsellor in real-time via our online counselling facility. You can log into your account by visiting www.carefirstlifestyle.co.uk and logging in using your organisation’s unique log in details. If you are unsure what these details are then please contact your line manager or HR department. The Care first Lifestyle website is great place to go to learn more about Care first and the different areas that we can support in.

How all of these above services link together

As you can see from the above table, all the services that we offer complement each other to ultimately encompass an individual’s overall mental and physical wellbeing, which enables individuals to access professional and clinically proven support.

Our counselling support is available 24/7 to help individuals with any emotional issues that they may have. Our Information Specialists can help individuals with practical information and advice. This practical support is so important because if an individual is concerned about a practical issue, then this can cause detrimental effects to their emotional wellbeing. By getting some support from an Information Specialist this will provide the individual with some clarity on that particular issue, which may help them to feel more in control of a situation and relieve some anxiety.

The Care first Lifestyle site can help individuals who are concerned about an issue. The individual may not know where to start and they can have a look at the resources on our Lifestyle website which may be enough to help them. The Lifestyle website is a great starting place to learn about the types of issues that Care first can support with. The individual can also access our online counselling tool through the Lifestyle website which is an alternative way to access support from a counsellor. By an individual looking through all the resources on our Lifestyle website this can help them to get answers about an issue they may be having. Again by getting some clarity on their issue this may
have a positive effect on their mental wellbeing.

If you would like to learn more about ‘How Care first can support you’ then please join our webinar on Thursday 3^rd June 2021 at 12pm using the details below –

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/7499395394172892171

If you are unable to join the webinar live, a recording of the session can be accessed using the same link above after the webinar has taken place.

If you wish to contact the Care first telephone counselling and information line then please don’t hesitate to call the Freephone number provided by your organisation and you can speak to a professional in confidence.

The last year has been a time of heightened pressure and stress for all. The pandemic has brought with it challenges we as a nation have not seen since war time. These sudden and “forced” changes have impacted all aspects of our lives and have caused many of us to feel under immense pressure and in some cases, this has led to stress.

Sudden and unplanned change brings pressure in all manner of ways. It is hard to keep up with what is happening sometimes and this can lead to feeling out of control. Too much of a drain on our emotional and physical wellbeing can cause too much added pressure. In order to manage, we need to feel as if we have some control over what is happening to us.

Too much placed on an individual where there is no room for “let up” can cause feelings and emotions to build until, like a pressure cooker, there is a breaking point. This leads from normal every day pressures to something more and to the point we think “just one more thing and I will explode” Dramatic yes, but we all have an idea of what that may feel like. This is stress, and we need to think about and identify the sources of our stress. There are many factors that affect us –

• Physical Stress
• Environmental Stress
• Emotional Stress
• Key life events
• Chronic Stress

Existing mental health issues can also become a source of stress in themselves, for example, those living with an anxiety disorder and/or depression can be more prone to stress as they try to manage their day-to-day conditions.

Those who are perhaps more vulnerable are more likely to develop mental health issues and illnesses when high stress levels are present.

So, given that, how can we help ourselves? The key is by taking time to examine the factors that cause us to feel “stressed” and consider that this “stress” may actually be pressure, but pressure to the point we struggle to manage. We need to be able to look for positive ways to change the way we view what is happening to us.

Helpful coping strategies

• Make time for yourself for positive experiences
• Get enough rest
• Talk to someone
• Take exercise and get fresh air
• Keep hydrated
• Remember you are not alone
• Think about how resourceful and adaptable you have had to be during the Pandemic
• Be kind to yourself

All these things appear so simple, but when one feels overwhelmed it is difficult to see a clear way forward. There is one, we just need to believe that.

What might stop you from moving forward? Is it fear or uncertainty? Can you give it a name?

The Pandemic has changed things for us all and, those changes for many have been dramatic. It is okay to ask for help, and, it is okay not to be okay!

Pressure is part of our usual everyday lives. We need to release that pressure to prevent it turning to Stress.

Stress is real and should not be ignored. It can however, be managed.

How can Care first help?

If you feel you may need some emotional or practical support, you can contact Care first on the Freephone number. Care first is a leading provider of confidential, professional counselling, information and advice services. Whilst our BACP accredited Counsellors are available 24/7 to provide support with emotional issues, our expertly trained Information Specialists are available 8am-8pm Monday-Friday to provide advice on any practical issues that may be causing you a stress or worry and help you feel more in control of a situation.

All employees are eligible to use Care first, our services include; telephone counselling, information services and online support. Call Care first on the Freephone number provided by your organisation and you can speak to a professional in confidence.

If you would like to view the Webinar on ‘Coping with Stress’ this is being delivered live on Wednesday 2nd June 2021 at 12pm, please use the below link to register for this session –

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1209330164728036364

If you are unable to join the webinar live, a recording of the session can be accessed using the same link above after the webinar has taken place.

The all new Care first Zest provided by My Possible Self is a mental and wellbeing app that uses clinically recognised content to help you improve your mind and take care of your wellbeing.

This is a completely revised version of the previous Care first Zest platform and is provided courtesy of your employer free of charge and completely confidential.

You can use each of the three guided series to support your needs at the time:

• Eating healthily and staying hydrated
• Keeping active
• Managing my stress

The content is provided by world-leading healthcare professionals you’ll find interactive tools, helpful tips, visual and mental exercises and engaging activities to guide you through life’s challenges.

In this webinar, we will guide you through how to:

• Access the platform
• Create an account
• Take a lifestyle assessment
• Make full use of the services
• How Care first can support you

How can Care first help?

If you feel you may need some emotional or practical support, you can contact Care first on the Freephone number. Care first is a leading provider of confidential, professional counselling, information and advice services. Whilst our BACP accredited Counsellors are available 24/7 to provide support with emotional issues, our expertly trained Information Specialists are available 8am-8pm Monday-Friday to provide advice on any practical issues that may be causing you a stress or worry and help you feel more in control of a situation.

All employees are eligible to use Care first, our services include; telephone counselling, information services and online support. Call Care first on the Freephone number provided by your organisation and you can speak to a professional in confidence.

If you would like to view the Webinar on ‘Introducing the new Care first Zest’. This is being delivered live on Tuesday 1st June at 12pm, please use the below link to register for this session –

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/385643123409700876

If you are unable to join the webinar live, a recording of the session can be accessed using the same link above after the webinar has taken place.

Bike Week, delivered by Cycling UK, is an annual celebration to showcase cycling and how brilliant it is.

The theme of Bike Week 2021 is health and wellbeing.

Cycling remains a great way to keep fit and active and is a good way to boost immunity, it’s also fantastic for your well-being. This year we’ll be launching with the World’s Biggest Bike Ride. You can also take part in our virtual #7daysofcyclingchallenge, giving you an amazing way to reunite with your friends and family in the outdoors. Be inspired by some exciting challenges and routes.  – Cycling UK

As lockdown eases you might be worried about how to approach getting back to normal while keeping your drinking under control. This might be the first taste of normality many of us have had for a long time – and for some of us, normality and drinking might go together. Or maybe you’re worried that when you see friends or family for the first time in a long while you might be tempted to go overboard and drink more than you really want to. In this article we have a few tips for ‘cutting down’ and also talk about the mental health implications that are often connected to alcohol consumption.

How Alcohol Affects Mental Health:

Alcohol is sometimes used by people to manage symptoms of anxiety and depression, but excessive drinking is likely to make those symptoms worse. Alcohol can be considered as a coping mechanism for some individuals who drink to help manage stress, anxiety, depression or other mental health issues.

Unfortunately, although alcohol can help us relax and give us a brief feeling of euphoria, the effects are short-lived and the long-term negative consequences of using alcohol in this way can be quite harmful:

• Overuse of alcohol can worsen the symptoms of many mental health problems. In particular, it can lead to low mood and anxiety
• As the immediate feeling of calm after drinking fades over time, we may feel worse than before
• Post-drinking hangovers can be particularly difficult, with the usual headache and nausea being accompanied by feelings of depression and/or anxiety
• Using alcohol in this way can mean that the underlying mental health issues aren’t addressed

If individuals come to rely on alcohol to manage their mental health issues, that reliance can itself become a problem. Individuals may find that their drinking starts to get in the way of other activities and puts a strain on relationships, home life and work – both things that can undermine our mental wellbeing.

Sensible Drinking and Knowing your Limits:

Whilst infrequent drinking shouldn’t do you too much harm, regularly overdoing it is associated with various health risks, so it’s important to know how to enjoy alcohol in moderation.

You may not wish to do a whole month alcohol free but you may wish to cut down.

Sensible drinking means knowing what your limits are and being aware of how much you’re drinking. Simply put, sensible drinking means not drinking alcohol to excess.

Excessive alcohol use means the liver becomes overloaded and cannot deal with the amount of alcohol in the bloodstream quickly enough to stop it affecting the rest of the body. Alcohol can make us feel happy, light-headed and talkative, but at the same time it is also damaging to our bodies. If you drink heavily, you have an increased risk of developing a range of health conditions including inflammation and cirrhosis of the liver, some cancers, high blood pressure, stomach disorders, obesity, and as we’ve mentioned – mental health problems.

How much is too much?

Knowing your units will help you stay in control of your drinking. To keep health risks from alcohol to a low level if you drink most weeks:

• Men and Women are advised not to drink more than 14 units a week on a regular basis
• Spread your drinking over 3 or more days if you regularly drink as much as 14 units a week
• If you want to cut down, try to have several alcohol-free days each week
• Pregnant women are advised not to drink alcohol at all.
• Fourteen units is equivalent to 6 pints of average-strength beer or 10 small glasses of low-strength wine.

Tips for cutting down:

If you are not ready to completely cut out all alcohol here are some tips for cutting down as a starting point, some of which you may already be following due to the Coronavirus restrictions.

•  Consider drinking low-alcohol beers, or at least do not drink strong beers or lagers.
• Try pacing the rate of drinking. Perhaps alternate soft drinks with alcoholic drinks.
• If you eat when you drink, you may drink less.
• Don’t stock up on alcohol – having alcohol at home may make it more likely that you’ll have a drink. Try only buying alcohol when you plan to drink it.
• It may be worth reviewing your entire social routine now that lockdown restrictions are starting to ease. For example, consider:
  – Cutting back on types of social activity which would usually involve you drinking.
  – Trying different social activities where drinking is not involved.
  – Reducing the number of days in the week where you go out to drink.
  – Going out to pubs or clubs later in the evening.
• Try to resist any pressure from people who may encourage you to drink more than you really want to.

Have more Drink Free Days:

‘Drink Free Days’ is a campaign launched by the UK alcohol charity, Drinkaware. Cutting down the number of days a week we drink is an easy way to have less and feel better.

Having more Drink Free Days each week has many health benefits, such as:

•  lower blood pressure
• reduced risk of cancer and heart and liver disease
• weight loss
• better sleep
• improved mental health
• healthier appearance
• increased energy
• save money

Useful Links for more Information:

https://alcoholchange.org.uk/alcohol-facts/fact-sheets/alcohol-and-mental-health
www.carefirst-lifestyle.co.uk
www.drinkaware.co.uk
https://www.drinkaware.co.uk/understand-your-drinking/unit-calculator
www.alcoholconcern.org.uk
www.nhs.uk

How can Care first help?

If you feel you may need some emotional or practical support, you can contact Care first on the Freephone number. Care first is a leading provider of confidential, professional counselling, information and advice services. Whilst our BACP accredited Counsellors are available 24/7 to provide support with emotional issues, our expertly trained Information Specialists are available 8am-8pm Monday-Friday to provide advice on any practical issues that may be causing you a stress or worry and help you feel more in control of a situation.

All employees are eligible to use Care first, our services include; telephone counselling, information services and online support. Call Care first on the Freephone number provided by your organisation and you can speak to a professional in confidence.

If you would like to view the Webinar on ‘Alcohol Awareness – Drinking Safely as lockdown eases’ This is being delivered live on Friday 28th May at 12pm, please use the below link to register for this session –

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/6419413291818135568

If you are unable to join the webinar live, a recording of the session can be accessed using the same link above after the webinar has taken place.

Most people have heard of diagnoses such as Depression, Anxiety or Bipolar disorder. Importantly having a diagnosis doesn’t necessarily mean that someone’s mental health is poor at the moment. They could have a diagnosis of a particular mental health condition but be able to function effectively at work and home right now. Equally, people without a diagnosis can also experience periods of poor mental health.

It is important to be able to recognise the possible signs of deteriorating mental health, both in yourself and in others. Below are some of the commonly seen signs of poor mental health. It is important to note that these symptoms can be seen in people who have good mental health, and equally, those struggling with their mental health may also not display all or any of these signs.

Early signs of poor mental health

•  – Poor concentration
• Being easily distracted
• Worrying more
• Tearfulness & low mood
• Tiredness and lack of energy
• Sleeping more or less
• Talking less and avoiding social activities
• Finding it hard to make decisions
• Feeling less interested in day-to-day activities
• Feeling overwhelmed by things
• Irritability and short temper

How can Care first help?

If you feel you may need some emotional or practical support, you can contact Care first on the Freephone number. Care first is a leading provider of confidential, professional counselling, information and advice services. Whilst our BACP accredited Counsellors are available 24/7 to provide support with emotional issues, our expertly trained Information Specialists are available 8am-8pm Monday-Friday to provide advice on any practical issues that may be causing you a stress or worry and help you feel more in control of a situation.

All employees are eligible to use Care first, our services include; telephone counselling, information services and online support. Call Care first on the Freephone number provided by your organisation and you can speak to a professional in confidence.

If you would like to view the Webinar on ‘How can you tell if someone is struggling with their Mental Health?’ This is being delivered live on Thursday 27th May at 12pm, please use the below link to register for this session –

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/6830832950745556747

If you are unable to join the webinar live, a recording of the session can be accessed using the same link above after the webinar has taken place.

People who have been shielding could become “prisoners in their own homes” due to a loss of confidence after months indoors due to the COVID-19 pandemic. There is a real fear for many of us about reintegration into society. This for many is leading to increased bouts of anxiety and restlessness. Anxiety because they wonder “how it will be” and will they “fit in”. Restlessness because of an underlying fear that they may not cope once back in the world of “bustle” and being around lots of people again. “What will I talk about? Will I be safe? How will I cope with people and noise again?” are all questions that may be running through our minds. These are all real fears and need to be acknowledged and talked about so that the stigma of difference is “open and accepted”.

Amid a rise in reports of loneliness, some people fear a struggle to re-integrate as lockdown eases. People who have been affected by feelings of loneliness and isolation as a result of lockdowns could find it difficult to re-integrate as lockdown restrictions ease. Those particularly affected by a lack of social contact could find themselves “left behind” and “stuck”.

The Office for National Statistics ran a survey from October 2020 to February 2021, which found the level of loneliness across the UK had increased since spring 2020. The results also showed the percentage of people who felt “often or always” lonely in parts of Northern England was double the national average. The Office for National Statistics also said places with younger populations tended to have higher levels of loneliness, which was also tied closely to unemployment during the pandemic. Many of us have a certain anxiety about having to return to these big places and social gatherings, not necessarily because we don’t want to, but because we have lived in our own “safe place” for long now and going “out there” can be quite scary.

Robin Hewings, director of the Campaign to End Loneliness, says there is concern that people may be left behind in loneliness as lockdown restrictions ease.

• The lockdowns did have a big impact on our wellbeing
• Isolation has a “large impact on self-esteem”, making it harder for people to pick up the phone and reach out to others for help
• Some people, they may feel a bit left behind and stuck in that loneliness

What can I do to tackle loneliness?

• It should be “a job for all of us” to reach out to those feeling lonely “so they’re not having to make the first move”
• If you can, maybe reach out to your manager and discuss your concerns
• Think is there any family member or a friend that you can speak with

For more information on loneliness please see the below link to a previous webinar that Care first have put together on “Loneliness during the COVID-19 Pandemic”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=315-3pneac4

What support is available?

The Campaign to End Loneliness says

• Advice lines and websites are available for those whose wellbeing has been affected by lockdown isolation
• People can also approach their GP who may refer them onto a social prescribing link worker, who help support people into activities which reduce loneliness, such as social clubs, classes or sports teams

There’s a great misconception that when people think of loneliness they only think of older people who are living alone. And yet, our young people have struggled as much (if not more so) in some areas of the country. The Pandemic has impacted the lives of everyone in some way. We know there has been an increase in alcohol misuse, the emergence of diagnosable Mental illness and sadly, an increase in suicide. Some of this has been as a direct cause of the lockdowns.

How can Care first help?

If you feel you may need some emotional or practical support, you can contact Care first on the Freephone number. Care first is a leading provider of confidential, professional counselling, information and advice services. Whilst our BACP accredited Counsellors are available 24/7 to provide support with emotional issues, our expertly trained Information Specialists are available 8am-8pm Monday-Friday to provide advice on any practical issues that may be causing you a stress or worry and help you feel more in control of a situation.

All employees are eligible to use Care first, our services include; telephone counselling, information services and online support. Call Care first on the Freephone number provided by your organisation and you can speak to a professional in confidence.

If you would like to view the Webinar on ‘How feelings of loneliness and isolation can make it difficult to re-interact after lockdown’ This is being delivered live on Wednesday 26th May at 12pm, please use the below link to register for this session –

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/6993314381051267853

If you are unable to join the webinar live, a recording of the session can be accessed using the same link above after the webinar has taken place.

As the COVID-19 situation is progressing and the Government guidance continues to change, individuals may be feeling anxious, tired and fed up. Mental Health support during times like these are paramount, which is why Care first have worked tirelessly to ensure our services remain available 24/7 throughout the pandemic to provide emotional and practical support and ensure we have every aspect of your overall wellbeing covered.
One of the feelings millions of us have experienced during the current coronavirus pandemic is loneliness. In our combined efforts to stay safe and save lives, our usual ways of seeing family, friends or just familiar faces have been put on pause. This article looks at how we can support loved ones abroad during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Tips to support loved ones abroad during the COVID-19 pandemic

• Look after your own wellbeing – In order to support others it is very important to look after your own wellbeing first. Keep a balance between helping others and maintaining your own wellbeing. If you are not looking after your own wellbeing it can be difficult to support others.
• Accept the reality of the situation – It is important to accept that not everything is in our control. During the COVID-19 pandemic there have been lots of restrictions that are beyond our control. Although it may be difficult to accept that we may not be able to go and visit loved ones abroad. Try to be creative and think about what you can do to support loved ones abroad.
• Be as positive as possible – Try to avoid topics that might upset your loved one, especially if they are struggling with anxiety or worry.
• Check in with your loved ones regularly – Try to check in with your loved ones to see how they are doing. You could call them or have a virtual catch up via video call for example.
• Virtual quiz night – You could have a virtual quiz night or similar event that all of your loved ones could join including any loved ones abroad.
• Talk about what you may like to do when it is safe to do so – You could talk about future visits when you meet up with your loved ones abroad once lockdown and social restrictions are lifted. Once it is safe then you may be able to travel to see them or they may be able to travel to see you. Although it may be a while until you feel safe to actually visit them abroad, it may be nice to talk about what you will do together or reminisce about past times when you have previously met.
• Involving others – No matter how close you are to a loved one who is abroad, there are benefits to you not being their only support network if possible. Involving others can help your loved one feel more connected while also spreading the responsibility for checking-in across several people.

Here are some ideas for ways you can help others get involved:
– Have a regular family or friend group video chat
– Set up a rotation of regular calls or video chats between a group of people
– Start a regular virtual game or quiz night

How can Care first help?

If you feel you may need some emotional or practical support, you can contact Care first on the Freephone number. Care first is a leading provider of confidential, professional counselling, information and advice services. Whilst our BACP accredited Counsellors are available 24/7 to provide support with emotional issues, our expertly trained Information Specialists are available 8am-8pm Monday-Friday to provide advice on any practical issues that may be causing you a stress or worry and help you feel more in control of a situation.

All employees are eligible to use Care first, our services include; telephone counselling, information services and online support. Call Care first on the Freephone number provided by your organisation and you can speak to a professional in confidence.

If you would like to view the Webinar on ‘Supporting loved ones overseas during the COVID-19 pandemic? This is being delivered live on Tuesday 25th May at 12pm, please use the below link to register for this session –

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/7152755661703219215

If you are unable to join the webinar live, a recording of the session can be accessed using the same link above after the webinar has taken place.

As the COVID-19 situation is progressing and the Government guidance continues to change, individuals may be feeling anxious. Mental Health support during times like these are paramount, which is why Care first have worked tirelessly to ensure our services remain available 24/7 throughout the pandemic to provide emotional and practical support and ensure we have every aspect of your overall wellbeing covered. Where clinically appropriate Care first are continuing to offer structured counselling through phone and virtual software. At Care first the health and safety of both you the employee and our counselling team are absolutely paramount, any changes to our structured counselling process will be made in line with government guidance.

These services include:

Counselling support

Our team of professionally trained, qualified and BACP Accredited Counsellors are available 24/7 to offer support for personal or workplace related issues. As well as the headline issues surrounding mental health, our Care first counsellors are also trained in dealing with both work and home grievances, bullying & harassment issues, domestic violence, relationships at both home and at work and much more. No matter how big or small the problem may be, our counsellors are here for you to provide you with unbiased support away from the situation. Everyone has very individual needs for support, Care first provides short term focussed counselling, so the Care first Counsellor will assess your circumstances when you call to establish what the most appropriate form of support will be for you. It might be that you just need a brief conversation with the Counsellor that day, or you may benefit from a few more sessions.

Information Specialists

As control, or the lack of it, can be an influencing factor on the impact of stress. Many individuals identify stress as emotional, however, a lack of control around practical issues can be just as impactful. We have expert advisors that have been trained by Citizens Advice who can provide you with comprehensive answers and assistance on a wide range of practical issues which can affect our daily life, these include but are not limited to; redundancy, advice on funerals and probate, legal information, housing and tenancy issues, childcare, eldercare, health, consumer issues, employment, travel and education. Our Information Specialists are also money trained experts and can provide support with a variety of financial queries such as help with budgeting finances and advice with benefits. You can speak with one of our Information Specialists confidentially Monday-Friday between 8am-8pm.

Management Support

If you are a manager, have leadership responsibilities, or look after a team within your organisation, it is as important as ever that your colleagues are made aware of the range of support available from Care first. As well as supporting you to signpost your colleagues to the Care first service effectively to maintain your managerial boundaries, Care first can also provide you with support within your role as a manager. Care first Counsellors are all management trained and can provide support with issues such as if the organisation is going through a period of redundancy, managing change and difficult conversations, workplace performance, remote working, absence management and disciplinary.

Care first Lifestyle

Through the Care first lifestyle site you can access a wide range of supportive information, read helpful articles published by our team, view Webinars covering a variety of well-being topics and even speak with a Care first Counsellor in real-time via our online counselling facility. You can log into your account by visiting www.carefirstlifestyle.co.uk and logging in using your organisation’s unique log in details. If you are unsure what these details are then please contact your line manager or HR department. The Care first Lifestyle website is great place to go to learn more about Care first and the different areas that we can support in.

How all of these above services link together

As you can see from the above table, all the services that we offer complement each other to ultimately encompass an individual’s overall mental and physical wellbeing, which enables individuals to access professional and clinically proven support.

Our counselling support is available 24/7 to help individuals with any emotional issues that they may have. Our Information Specialists can help individuals with practical information and advice. This practical support is so important because if an individual is concerned about a practical issue, then this can cause detrimental effects to their emotional wellbeing. By getting some support from an Information Specialist this will provide the individual with some clarity on that particular issue, which may help them to feel more in control of a situation and relieve some anxiety.

The Care first Lifestyle site can help individuals who are concerned about an issue. The individual may not know where to start and they can have a look at the resources on our Lifestyle website which may be enough to help them. The Lifestyle website is a great starting place to learn about the types of issues that Care first can support with. The individual can also access our online counselling tool through the Lifestyle website which is an alternative way to access support from a counsellor. By an individual looking through all the resources on our Lifestyle website this can help them to get answers about an issue they may be having. Again by getting some clarity on their issue this may have a positive effect on their mental wellbeing.

If you would like to learn more about ‘How Care first can support you’ then please join our webinar on Monday 24th May 2021 at 12pm using the details below –

https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/4992422021310063886

If you are unable to join the webinar live, a recording of the session can be accessed using the same link above after the webinar has taken place.

If you wish to contact the Care first telephone counselling and information line then please don’t hesitate to call the Freephone number provided by your organisation and you can speak to a professional in confidence.