Qwell – free online emotional health and wellbeing support for school staff
- Qwell, commissioned by the NHS, local authorities and charities, is a free, online tool to support adults around emotional wellbeing and mental health and has recently been made available to staff in all Darlington schools.
- Qwell is an adult version of Kooth, where Kooth supports children and young people’s emotional health and wellbeing.
- Qwell is designed for adults experiencing issues with their emotional wellbeing, such as anxiety, low mood, or stress.
- Their site has a range of self-help tools, including friendly online discussion boards to connect with people having similar experiences, journals and goal trackers, and self-help articles with the option to contribute your own experiences or advice.
- Anyone over 18 can access free anonymous counselling from qualified counsellors via the online chat-based platform. Chats can be accessed through a drop-in service or booked sessions; there is no referral needed from a health professional, no waiting lists, and no criteria to meet to get support.
- Qwell is available 24/7 and it takes less than 2 minutes to join. School staff are encouraged to join Qwell to access all of the above by clicking here www.qwell.io to set up a username and password.
Support for men’s mental health
- Groundwork UK run Men’s Sheds projects and the Darlington project commenced on Tuesday 16th February.
- The idea of Men’s Sheds originated in Australia in the 90’s and their aim was to improve the overall health of all males.
- Sheds provide direct and indirect opportunities for improved health and well-being for men. Directly, in their ability to provide health information to men who may otherwise not access or seek such information. Indirectly, in combating the effects of social isolation, providing men with a sense of purpose and self-esteem, improving physical health and mental well-being and increasing help seeking behaviour. Although health benefits are not amongst the main motivations for attendance at Sheds, most Shedders acknowledge that these benefits exist.
- A recurring feature of all Sheds is the warmth, hospitality and genuine interest in improving the quality of life for men. Many men speak of the renewed sense of purpose that the Shed has given them, how it has helped them to reconnect with their community and instill a sense of identity and belonging.
- This may be of interest to both staff and parents / carers in your setting community and a poster is attached to share / display.
