Northern Ireland

Nursing home staff offered free counselling amid concerns of emotional health issues and burnout

Bradley Manor in north Belfast. Picture by Hugh Russell
Bradley Manor in north Belfast. Picture by Hugh Russell Bradley Manor in north Belfast. Picture by Hugh Russell

NURSING home staff are being offered free counselling amid reports that increasing numbers are reporting "more emotional health issues and burnout".

Action Mental Health has designed specialist support to frontline care staff as Covid-19 continues to add significant additional stress to their day-to-day jobs.

Its counselling service, AMH New Life Counselling, will provide free, professional and confidential counselling support to nursing homes and domiciliary care workers in the BT14 area of north Belfast.

Grainne Close from Action Mental Health said it is crucial to reach those caring for others as the cumulative pressures of the pandemic begin to take a toll.

"No matter how common mental health problems are there is still a social stigma attached to seeking mental health support, especially by people in the caring profession," she said.

"It's important to remember that most people who experience mental health problems recover fully. They just need that little scaffolding of support to get them through a difficult time and help to manage it."

The initiative is supported by Urban Villages, Northern Ireland Executive and T:buc.

Among the organisations already signed up is Healthcare Ireland, with operations director Mandy Mitchell saying staff have already seen the benefit.

"We're delighted that our staff in Bradley Court, Bradley Manor and Gold Healthcare all in BT14 have been able to access this support.

"It's been very beneficial and helped alleviate the pressure our staff are under," she said.

"We believe it is important to invest in the mental health and wellbeing of our staff and look forward to developing more partnership in the future."

Any health and social care worker between the age of 18 to 25 or manager of a nursing/residential home in BT14 can access resilience workshops, while staff members feeling isolated, lonely or anxious can get free and confidential counselling from counselling@amh.org.uk