Access to Work Mental Health Support Service available to organisations in Scotland

With direct access to health care professionals and specialist support, learning and development creates sustainable futures

Able Futures provides support to the people working and living with mental health difficulties across England, Scotland and Wales, on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

Our mental health professionals provide employees with 9 months of support, advice and guidance on how individuals can cope better with wellbeing issues that are affecting their time at work. With their health professionals, individuals will create a plan of action that is tailored to their needs, with regular catchups scheduled over nine months.

Our aim is to give people living with mental health difficulties the support, advice and guidance they need to have more good days than bad ones.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Aged 16 or over, and in paid employment: self-employed, full time, part time, temporary, permanent, agency worker, or an apprenticeship.
• Employee eligible if attending work or off sick
• Having problems managing their mental health. However, this does not need to be a diagnosed condition.

Key Features:

• No cost to employer or employee – fully funded by DWP.
• Self-referral process calling Able Futures or completing a short EOI here: Get in touch and discover how Able Futures can help your mental health at work | Able Futures Mental Health Support Service (able-futures.co.uk).
• No waiting lists: Initial appointment must be held within 30 days of employees initial contact, however the first appointment is usually within 2 weeks.
• Independent to employees organization. Organizations don’t sign SLA’s or contracts; they help send out information to staff to spread awareness.
• Fully confidential.
• 9 months of 1 to 1 support with a mental health professional (either Mental Nurse, Counsellor or Occupational Therapist).
• Delivered remotely (telephone or video) or face to face. Led by employee choice.
• Can be accessed as a standalone support service, or alongside EAP, Occupational Health Services.
• Cover a wide range of topics such as Cost of Living Crisis and the emotional pressures this brings, Stress, Work Related Stress, Bereavement, Anxiety, Depression, Low Mood, Sleep, Panic Attacks, Relaxation, Mindfulness, Managing Emotions, Coping with Change, Communication challenges, Time Management – anything that is affecting an employees mental health within the workplace can be supported.
• Practical information, advice, guidance and coping mechanisms implemented into working and daily lives. Psychoeducation provided on how to manage health conditions and recognize triggers. Please note we cannot provide ‘Counselling’ via this service; however, we will signpost and help participants unlock alternative therapies and treatments (if appropriate).
• Focus on building skills to maintain mental wellbeing and knowledge of how to access treatment, build resilience and even to suggest reasonable adjustments at work.
• Further information can also be found on Able Futures website here: Support for mental health at work | Able Futures Mental Health Support Service (able-futures.co.uk).