Mental Health Support at West Yorkshire Combined Authority

Do you need to talk?  How are you feeling? sad? stressed? anxious? worried? hopeless? angry? tearful? overwhelmed? want help?

At the Combined Authority we encourage you to talk to someone if you are struggling or going through a difficult time and this is impacting on your mental health or if you have a mental health disability.    This could be your manager, a trusted colleague, the EAP or one of our Mental Health First Aiders.

The Mental Health First Aiders have undergone training to achieve accreditation as a point of contact if you, or someone you are concerned about, are experiencing a mental health issue or emotional distress.  They are not therapists or psychiatrists but they can give you initial support and signpost you to appropriate help if needed.

Our Mental Health First Aiders offer the following support:

• Understand the important factors affecting mental wellbeing
• Identify the signs and symptoms for a range of mental health conditions
• Listen non-judgementally and hold supportive conversations using the Mental Health First Aid action plan
• Signpost people to professional help, support and resources 

We also have a number of other resourses to support your rmental health:

• A comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme that provides a free and confidential counselling and assistance service, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days of the year.
• Mental Health Awareness training for all employees and managers
• Premium access to the Headspace app

Headspace is a global leader in mindfulness and wellbeing, and we have been working with them to provide an employee program to further support and benefit both mental and physical health.  

Once you enrol, you'll have access to 1,000+ hours of content designed to help you manage stress, fall asleep, exercise mindfully, remain focused, and more! Headspace also has child-friendly content for those of you with young family members.