Unmind offers free mental health support to NHS workers during pandemic

A mental health platform which helps to manage stress and burnout in the workplace is being made available for free to NHS workers during the coronavirus crisis.

Unmind is giving free access to its full digital platform and resources to help support NHS teams at the frontline of medical efforts to combat the pandemic and their colleagues.

That means the platform is now available to some 1.5 million health service staff, whether directly involved in the battle against the virus or not.

As the spread of the virus in the UK puts unprecedented stress on the NHS, the Unmind team hopes the move will help staff proactively manage and look after their mental health during this challenging time.

Available anytime, anywhere and on any device, the Unmind platform will enable NHS professionals to measure and manage their mental health through accessing digital resources based on their individual needs, including programmes and tools designed to help with stress, sleep, coping, and nutrition.

The evidence-based content, based on the latest research in CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy), positive psychology, neuroscience and mindfulness, is developed in collaboration with leading experts and academics in their respective fields.

To support the challenges arising from the current health pandemic, the Unmind team is creating tailored content to support individuals during these uncertain times. Managing health anxiety, staying connected to meaning and values, and dealing with isolation and uncertainty are all topics which will be covered over the coming weeks.

Dr Nick Taylor, Clinical Psychologist and CEO and Co-Founder of Unmind, said: “We are facing a global crisis – the scale of which we have never seen before.

“With the situation changing on a daily basis, we need to step up and support each other through this time.

“One of the areas which is facing the highest level of pressure is our National Health Service. NHS staff are working round the clock to slow the spread of Covid-19, and the increased stress has been felt across all departments.

“This will undoubtedly affect their mental health and the wellbeing of those around them, and we want to do what we can to offer support.

“It is vital that we provide the proper care and support that those on the frontline of tackling this problem need, which is why we have taken the decision to offer our mental health platform free to all NHS staff.

“Unmind has preventative care at its heart, and we believe that through giving NHS staff the support to proactively manage their mental wellbeing  and prevent problems arising, we can help to reduce the negative impact on NHS staff mental health and alleviate some of the pressure on our health service.”

Unmind’s mental health resources will be available to provide support to all NHS staff until the end of the year.

To gain access, NHS should go to nhs.unmind.com/signup and sign up using their @nhs.net email address.