Staff Health and Wellbeing
Your Mental Health is Everything
Mental health covers everything to do with your emotions, and how you think and feel. Think of mental health as being on a scale, with good mental health at one end and suffering with mental illness is at the other. We call this a ‘mental health continuum’.
Having good mental health doesn’t mean you’re always happy – everyone has good and bad days. It just means that you’re able to cope well with normal day-to-day stresses and challenges.
Mental health touches every part of our lives. It shapes how we feel, how we connect, and how we cope. It’s linked to our physical health, our relationships, our work and our finances – and it’s there in both the everyday moments and the milestones that define us. Mental health is just as important as physical health.
Wellbeing in the Workplace
Wellbeing is about more than one-off gestures – it’s about the everyday actions, practices, policies, and procedures at work. High levels of wellbeing, harmony at work, and job satisfaction relate to a deep concept of wellbeing and a community of care. This includes increasing mental health literacy and fostering emotionally intelligent practice.
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA)
With 1 in 4 people in the UK likely to experience a mental health issue each year, it’s vital that workplaces actively support staff wellbeing. Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is an internationally recognised training course that teaches participants how to spot the signs and symptoms of mental ill health and provide support. A Mental Health First Aider can help facilitate this, and within Sefton Early Years we are promoting MHFA in every setting.
For more information or to enquire about funding opportunities, contact: Nigel.Corrin@sefton.gov.uk
Supporting Emotional Health and Wellbeing in Early Years – Level 4 Award
This award supports practitioners across the Early Years sector, offering a balance of theoretical knowledge and practical skills to promote and champion positive emotional health and wellbeing for young children.
The sessions are designed to help practitioners embed and sustain a positive culture of emotional health and wellbeing within their settings.
For more information, click the link to the flyer or contact: sue.kirk@sefton.gov.uk
Think ACEs, Create PACEs
Sefton Council offers trauma training for professionals, co-produced by employees and people with lived experiences.
The training is called Think ACEs, Create PACEs and takes place at Ainsdale SCLC from 9:30am to 2:00pm.
To book a place, please email: training.services@sefton.gov.uk
How Can We Support You?
What we offer to nurseries and childminders:
- Termly Mental Health Forum – providing information, signposting, research, ideas to support staff teams, motivation and support with action plans. Ensuring staff wellbeing is a priority within the workplace.
- Being a mental health champion/first aider
- Action for Happiness monthly inspirational calendar
- Wellbeing action plans
- Wellbeing surveys
- Mental Health Charters
- Understanding sources of stress
- Stress risk assessments
- Wellbeing toolkits
- Emotional Health and Wellbeing Award – Level 4 Qualification
- Attachment and Trauma Award
- Termly Parent Champion Forum – supporting parents
For further information on any of the above resources, please contact: Sue.Kirk@sefton.gov.uk
Useful Websites and Videos
Explore these trusted resources for further support, information, and inspiration around mental health and wellbeing:
Provides information, support, and campaigns for people experiencing mental health problems. Visit the Mind website for more.
A great video to describe the complexities of mental health.
Mental health charity Chasing the Stigma aims to normalise and humanise mental health through lived experiences and provides clear pathways to support. Visit their website for more.
Developed my mental health charity Chasing the Stigma, the Hub of Hope is the UK’s largest mental health support directory. Whether you're seeking help or supporting someone else, Hub of Hope connects you to local, national, peer, community, charity, private, and NHS services - all in one place. It aims to normalise and humanise mental health through lived experiences and provides clear pathways to support.
Tens of thousands of services are listed on the Hub of Hope, with numbers growing every day. It is free to use and available on desktop and from the App Store and Play Store. It is also free for organisations to register their details.
Visit their website for more.
Mental Health Matters is a national charity with over 40 years of experience delivering high-quality mental health services across England. Their work has a hugely positive impact on local communities. See their website for some resources and more information on what they do.
Find trusted NHS information and support for your mental health on their website.
Evidence-based steps from the NHS to help you feel more positive and get the most out of life. Visit the website for more details.
Led by Dr Karen Treisman, MBE, an award-winning clinical psychologist and trauma specialist, this website offers resources, training, and consultancy for Reflective, Relational, and Creative Practice.
Practical tips and resources to support mental health and wellbeing, including eLearning, helplines, mobile apps, and support from Occupational Health and Health & Safety teams in the Sefton Corporate Learning Centre. Visit the website for more.
Wellbeing Apps
Below is a list of wellbeing apps (also known as wellness apps), which are smartphone or web-based tools designed to support your mental, emotional, and physical health.
These apps can help you:
- Manage stress
- Track habits
- Build healthy routines
- Improve overall wellness
- Make positive lifestyle choices
Most are available on both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
Recommended overall: Daylio – Mood tracker and self-care journal
Recommended for therapy: Talkspace – Online therapy with licensed therapists
Recommended for sleep: Calm – Sleep stories, meditation, and relaxation
Recommended for OCD: NOCD – Support and therapy for OCD
Recommended for meditation: Headspace – Guided meditation and mindfulness
Recommended for breathing exercises: iBreathe – Simple guided breathing exercises (iOS only)
Recommended for anxiety: MindShift CBT – Anxiety management using CBT techniques
Recommended for substance use disorders: I Am Sober – Daily motivation and tracking for sobriety
Recommended for mood: Happify - Activities and games designed to boost mood and emotional well-being
Recommended for eating disorders: Recovery Record - Personalised support and meal tracking for eating disorder recovery
Recommended for drinking less alcohol: Reframe - Science-backed tools and daily support to reduce alcohol consumption