Healthcare professionals play a vital role in supporting the health and wellbeing of others. However, working in the healthcare industry often brings considerable amounts of emotional and psychological demands. From managing things like high-pressure environments and demanding workloads, burnout and challenging situations, the impact on employees’ mental health should not be put to one side.
Whether working in the NHS, private healthcare, social care or another healthcare setting, having access to appropriate mental health support for healthcare workers can make a meaningful difference.
The Access to Work Mental Health Support Service provides fully funded, confidential support to help eligible employees manage their mental health, overcome workplace challenges and remain in employment. Delivered by The Better Health Generation, in partnership with Able Futures, the service offers tailored support across Scotland to help healthcare professionals take positive steps towards better mental health at work.
How Important Is Mental Health Support for Healthcare Workers?
Healthcare employees work in environments where the demands of the role can extend beyond their day-to-day responsibilities. Long shifts, staff shortages, emotionally challenging situations, exposure to trauma and the responsibility of caring for others can all contribute to increased psychological pressure.
Over time, these demands can affect mental health, confidence and ability to manage workloads.
Some common challenges experienced by healthcare professionals include:
Work-related stress: High workloads, time pressures and competing responsibilities can make it difficult to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
Burnout: Prolonged workplace pressure can contribute to emotional exhaustion, reduced motivation and feelings of detachment.
Anxiety: Workplace expectations, challenging situations and concerns about performance can contribute to ongoing anxiety.
Low mood: Personal circumstances and workplace pressures can affect motivation, confidence and overall wellbeing.
Trauma and emotional fatigue: Regular exposure to distressing situations, illness and bereavement can have a lasting psychological impact.
Neurodiversity-related challenges: Employees with ADHD, autism or other neurodevelopmental differences may benefit from additional strategies and workplace adjustments.
Employees should be able to access practical, appropriate support that helps them manage their mental health alongside their professional responsibilities.
What is the Access to Work Mental Health Support Service?
The Access to Work Mental Health Support Service is a DWP-funded programme designed to help people manage mental health challenges that affect their working lives.
The service provides eligible individuals with access to confidential, one-to-one support from a dedicated mental health professional. It focuses on identifying workplace challenges, developing practical coping strategies and helping individuals maintain or return to employment.
Through TBHG, in partnership with Able Futures, eligible healthcare employees can access up to nine months of fully funded mental health support. The service is completely free to access and independent of an individual’s employer. This means employees can seek support without their organisation needing to fund the provision or manage their application.
How can Access to Work mental health support help healthcare professionals?
Every circumstance and support requirement is different. The Access to Work Mental Health Support Service takes a personalised approach, ensuring that support reflects the individual’s needs, experiences and working environment.
For healthcare employees, this may include:
Developing practical coping strategies
Mental Health Coaches work with individuals to identify the challenges affecting their wellbeing and develop practical techniques to manage stress, anxiety and difficult situations.
Building resilience and confidence
Through regular one-to-one sessions, employees can develop greater confidence in managing workplace pressures, navigating challenges and maintaining their professional responsibilities.
Improving workplace wellbeing
Support can help individuals identify potential workplace barriers and explore reasonable adjustments that could make their working environment more manageable.
Supporting a return to work
For employees currently on sickness absence due to mental health challenges, the service can help them develop strategies and confidence to support a successful return to employment.
Understanding neurodiversity
Individuals experiencing neurodiversity-related challenges may benefit from exploring their strengths, understanding potential barriers and identifying strategies to support them in the workplace.
The overall aim is to provide individuals with the tools, confidence and guidance they need to manage their mental health and sustain their employment.
Who is eligible for Access to Work mental health support?
The Access to Work Mental Health Support Service is available to eligible individuals aged 16 and over who live and work in England, Scotland or Wales.
You may be eligible if you:
- Are currently employed, including full-time or part-time employment.
- Are self-employed or working as an apprentice.
- Are about to start or return to paid employment.
- Have a mental health condition, illness or health-related challenge that affects your ability to work and means you need support.
Importantly, you do not necessarily need a formal mental health diagnosis to access support. Eligibility is assessed as part of the application process.
The service is available across different employment settings, meaning healthcare professionals working in the NHS, private healthcare and other healthcare organisations may be eligible. NHS employees are not automatically excluded simply because they work in the public sector.
How do healthcare employees access the service?
Accessing the Access to Work Mental Health Support Service is straightforward, and employees can self-refer without needing a referral from their employer or manager.
The process involves:
- Making an application: Visit Able Futures to complete an application for the Access to Work Mental Health Support Service.
- Completing an initial assessment: Your circumstances and support requirements will be discussed to establish your eligibility and identify your needs.
- Getting matched with a Mental Health Coach: If eligible, you will be connected with a dedicated professional who will provide tailored support.
- Receiving ongoing support: You can access up to nine months of one-to-one coaching, developing strategies and working towards your individual wellbeing goals.
The service is confidential, and your employer will not routinely be informed about your participation or discussions.
To find out more about the application process, visit Able Futures.
How can employers support healthcare employee wellbeing?
While individual support is important, employers also have a responsibility to create working environments where employees feel supported and able to discuss their mental health.
Making staff aware of the Access to Work Mental Health Support Service is one practical way healthcare organisations can strengthen their existing wellbeing provision.
By promoting the service, employers can help employees access specialist support without placing additional financial demands on their organisation.
It is also important to recognise that Access to Work complements, rather than replaces, an employer’s responsibility to make reasonable adjustments and provide appropriate workplace support.
A proactive approach to employee wellbeing can help organisations build more supportive working environments, encourage early intervention and promote better long-term workforce outcomes.
Access Confidential Mental Health Support with TBHG
Healthcare professionals dedicate their working lives to looking after others, but their own mental health deserves the same attention and consideration.
The Access to Work Mental Health Support Service, delivered by TBHG in partnership with Able Futures, provides an opportunity for eligible employees to access practical, personalised and fully funded support.
With up to nine months of confidential, one-to-one coaching, employees can develop coping strategies, build resilience and receive guidance to help them manage their mental health at work.
You do not have to wait until things become overwhelming to seek support.
Whether you are a healthcare professional looking for additional support or an employer wanting to make your workforce aware of available resources, TBHG can help.
