As Chief Executive of VHS I am reflecting back on this week's annual conference Building Forward Better for Health and Wellbeing (4-5 November 2020). A clear message that emerged was that levels of stress, anxiety, exhaustion and burn-out are fast rising at all levels in the voluntary health sector … [Read more...] about Claire’s Blog: Building Forward Better for the Health and Care Workforce
Mairi’s Blog: Now, more than ever, we’re here to listen
Samaritans are here to listen for anyone who needs us 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Since the coronavirus pandemic and the restrictions we’re all taking to contain it changed all our lives, this space to listen has become more vital than ever. Volunteers at our 19 branches across Scotland have … [Read more...] about Mairi’s Blog: Now, more than ever, we’re here to listen
Ageing Well: 2nd Virtual Talk with the Open University
Join VHS and the Open University for the second in series of joint online events exploring ageing, health and wellbeing. The title of the second talk is: The Ageing Brain. Led by Dr Jitka Všetečková who currently works at the Faculty of Wellbeing, Education and Language Studies, The Open … [Read more...] about Ageing Well: 2nd Virtual Talk with the Open University
Lesley’s Blog: Support for Survivors of Rape and Childhood Sexual Abuse
Break The Silence provides professional support for survivors of rape and childhood sexual abuse aged 13+ across East and North Ayrshire. We provide a range of support tailored to the individual’s need: counselling, complementary therapies, group activities, advocacy support, peer support and … [Read more...] about Lesley’s Blog: Support for Survivors of Rape and Childhood Sexual Abuse
Falling Off a Cliff at 65: Discussion Paper and Evidence
Since 2019 VHS has collaborated with Support in Mind Scotland and colleagues from across the third and public sectors, to scope what happens to people with mental health conditions other than or alongside dementia once they become 65. Issues we have been exploring include under-diagnosis, … [Read more...] about Falling Off a Cliff at 65: Discussion Paper and Evidence
Linda’s Blog: The IMPACT of Smoking on Mental Health
At the start of every New Year, many people decide that they’ll quit smoking – a great idea and one which can bring both physical and financial benefits. At the start of a new decade, there’s perhaps even more impetus to do so: a determination to address and change bad habits for good. Everybody … [Read more...] about Linda’s Blog: The IMPACT of Smoking on Mental Health
Falling Off a Cliff at 65: Key Learnings
There is an urgent need to shine a light into the difficulties which some people experience after age 65 if they either have a long-standing mental health condition (e.g. schizophrenia) or if they develop one (e.g. depression or anxiety). During 2019 VHS has collaborated with Support in Mind … [Read more...] about Falling Off a Cliff at 65: Key Learnings
Falling off a cliff at 65: mental health in later life – second round table
This is the second in our series of cross-sectoral round tables on this topic. The project is a collaboration between VHS and Support in Mind Scotland, with the support of Faith in Older People, and kindly hosted by the Royal College of Physicians Edinburgh. The first round table explored the … [Read more...] about Falling off a cliff at 65: mental health in later life – second round table
Falling off a cliff at 65: mental health in later life
This cross-sectoral round table is a collaboration between VHS, Support in Mind Scotland and Royal College of Physicians Edinburgh. There is an urgent need to shine a light into the evident chasm into which people fall at age 65 if they either have a long-standing mental health condition (e.g. … [Read more...] about Falling off a cliff at 65: mental health in later life
Key Messages: Mental wellbeing, social isolation and loneliness in rural Scotland
VHS presented this one hour workshop at The Gathering on 20th February 2019, in partnership with the Scottish Rural Health Partnership which is hosted by the University of Highlands and Islands. The aim was to shine a light on mental health issues distinctive to rural and remote areas in Scotland … [Read more...] about Key Messages: Mental wellbeing, social isolation and loneliness in rural Scotland