- Unmind is offering all NHS staff free access to their digital resources to help combat the impact of pressure and demand on staff mental health caused by the COVID19 outbreak.
- The platform, which offers bite-sized learning and development programmes, tools and support to help users proactively measure and manage their mental well-being, will be available to anyone who works in the NHS from 18th March.
- The UK is facing an unprecedented crisis, and technology companies are in a unique position to step up and help where they can.
Workplace mental health platform Unmind is offering all NHS staff free access to their digital platform and resources in the face of COVID19 pressures. On March 18th, Unmind will become available to approximately 1.5 million members of staff with an @nhs.net email address, whether they are directly tackling the COVID19 outbreak or not.
As the spread of the virus in the UK puts unprecedented stress on the NHS, the Unmind team hope the move will help staff proactively manage and look after their mental health during this challenging time.
This comes as the government steps up measures to tackle the spread of the virus including encouraging home working and banning mass gatherings as cases surpass 1500 in the UK. It is estimated that 10% of those with the virus will need to be hospitalised, with 1% needing intensive care.
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 specific challenges arising from the current health pandemic the team are 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.
Mental health technology has a unique role to play in this global crisis. During this unprecedented time, using accessible, digital solutions to support the well-being and mental health of our population has never been more important.
The workplace mental health platform will be available to provide support to all NHS staff until the end of the year.
How NHS staff get access:
- Go to nhs.unmind.com/signup
- Use your @nhs.net email address to signup
Dr Nick Taylor, Clinical Psychologist and CEO and Co-Founder of Unmind, comments:
“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 front line 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.”
