November 2021
Men's Mental Health Awareness Month; Mind the Men - supporting men and making a real difference
Earlier this month we highlighted the importance for men to talk about their mental health struggles and to reach out for help if they need it. We also shared links to mental health support as well as information about how to reach out to a friend or family member you are concerned about.
Peer Support - Men's Mental Wellbeing and Suicide Prevention
One of the most powerful ways to help support your mental health is through peer support - where people with lived experience support each other in their wellbeing journey through similar experiences and personal insight.
We caught up with Gary MacDonald the co-founder of Mind the Men, Glasgow based men's mental wellbeing and suicide prevention peer support group:
Gary explained: "We're based in Glasgow and meet every Monday night in different locations and online via Zoom.
"We started in 2018 when I sadly lost a family member to suicide and decided that we needed to find safe places where men can talk about their challenges, be listened to and feel supported.
"It's about getting guys to talk, breaking down the stigma around mental health and suicide, and reducing suicide which is our main aim here."
Ciaran Buchanan, Project Manager within Neighbourhoods and Sustainability and group member said: "One in every two men in their lifetime will have some form of mental health struggle. So you're not alone, there's nothing to be ashamed of, and talking about it really does help.
"I attend the Muirend club on a Monday evening and it's helped me massively deal with some struggles I've had over the past couple of years and given me a bit of perspective on things and helped me to develop some better coping mechanisms.
"Nobody's medically trained but we've all got lived experience and we can draw on that experience to support each other through difficult times. So if you're feeling a bit low just now, have anything you want to get off your chest, feel free to pop along to one of our clubs - check out our website for information, and hopefully Mind the Men can help you as it has helped me."
Watch the video featuring both Gary and Ciaran
More information
The group is free and open to all men aged 18 and above.
You can find out more on the website www.mindthemen.co.uk or email mindthemen@gmail.com.
If you need help now you can find some useful contact information at https://www.glasgow.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=26351
BME network update - get involved and join the discussion
Annemarie O'Donnell, our Chief Executive, will attend the BME network meeting on 6 December 2021 (3pm to 4.30pm). This is your opportunity to get involved and put forward any questions you may have.
Register now
You can register to attend the event through Eventbrite.co.uk
If you registered for the event in October, you do not need to do this again - your registration has been carried over to the December event.
Special workshop feedback - get involved and have your say
During April and August, we held workshops to discuss key issues (listed below).
The network is looking at holding special sessions in 2022 to develop these areas of work. If you would like to get involved and contribute to discussions in these key areas please email BMENetwork@glasgow.gov.uk
| ANTI-RACISM | Developing meaningful approach to deliver anti-racism |
| HATE CRIME | Institutional hate crime, identify it, educating others and drafting a Council statement on race hate crime |
| DISCRIMINATION | How do we identify and eliminate institutional discrimination? |
| DIVERSITY | Improving workplace diversity and minority representation |
| EQUALITY | What are the Equality Outcomes 2021 and how can be we deliver them effectively |
| EMPOWERMENT | How do we develop and empower the BME network? |
| BME SURVEY | Reviewing the BME Council wide survey and agreeing process for delivery/data analysis |
| PROPOSALS | Review all the proposals from the network to CHR/CED to ensure they are SMART and can deliver meaningful positive change |
| REPRESENTATION | Working with the unions to increase the number of Equality Representatives across the council |
Join the BME Steering Group
We are looking to have a steering group that represents all service areas/ALEOS. There are ten members - could you get involved?
If you would like to get involved and be a voice for your service area please email BMENetwork@glasgow.gov.uk
StC Payroll Giving webiner - Giving can have a big impact; Tuesday 30 November, 10am
Come along to the next StC Payroll Giving webinar to find out how you can support your favourite charity with tax free donations.
The webinar will be live on Tuesday, 30 November at 10am. If this time isn't suitable for you - you can still access the webinar for a few days after the live stream. Click on the link to join.
Please note - the link will not be live until 30 November.
Supporting Staff who are Carers Workshop: Thursday 25 November 2021, 12.15pm - 1pm. Microsoft Teams
Are you a carer or interested in finding out more about support for staff who have caring responsibilities?
We're aware that many staff are, or may in the future, be taking on more responsibilities for providing care for an ill, frail or disabled family member, friend or partner. For many, caring is something that happens gradually when someone becomes older or has a progressive illness.
Whether you are a new carer or have been caring for a while, we believe it's important you are aware of your rights as an unpaid carer and can access the support available to you.
As a Carer Positive Exemplary organisation, we aim to provide support to staff who are carers.
Staff information session - Thursday 25 November
The Carers Peer Support Network invite you to attend an online information session - on Carers Rights Day.
Please come along with your cuppa / sandwich, for the chance to get together and hear from our Carers Advice and Information Worker, about your rights and options of help and support available.
Register now
Register here through Eventbrite to attend; places will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. If required, discuss your attendance with your line manager before registering.
More information
Find out more about our Carers Peer Support Network here or email EqualityAndDiversity@glasgow.gov.uk
Alcohol Awareness Week, 15 to 21 November 2021
The theme of this year's Alcohol Awareness Week campaign is 'alcohol and relationships.'
Many people often associate alcohol with positive socialising and interactions with others. However, when someone's drinking starts to have a negative effect, this can have a huge impact on both the person and those around them.
The campaign gives us a chance to pause to think about drinking, how it can affect ourselves and those around us, and help us to make informed choices.
The aim of the campaign is to challenge the stigma and stereotypes around alcohol and to open the conversation and give confidence to those searching for support.
How to get involved
- Alcohol Change UK have many ways to get involved, including quizzes and reading other people's stories
- Alcohol Change UK ways to relax without alcohol
- Alcohol free activities in Glasgow and surrounding areas
More information
- NHS Inform provides information on drinking sensibly, understanding units and limits, tips on cutting down, and getting support
- Alcohol Focus Scotland highlights facts and figures related to alcohol specifically within Scotland
- Drinkaware.co.uk can provide more information on alcohol and advice around helping those you care about
Support for staff
You can also access support and advice 24/7 from our Employee Assistance Provider - phone Workplace Options on: 0800 247 1100
Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Day - 18 November 2021
On this day people across the globe come together to raise awareness about the symptoms and risks of the disease, and the urgent need for earlier detection.
Make sure you know the symptoms of pancreatic cancer and share them with family, friends and colleagues.
Knowing the symptoms of pancreatic cancer could help get an earlier diagnosis for you or someone close to you.
Purple Lights for pancreatic cancer is an annual campaign in the UK that takes place during November's Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month and supports, World Pancreatic Cancer Day.
You can support the campaign and get involved by lighting up your home or contacting a prominent landmark in your local area to light up purple, on this day, or throughout November. By doing so, you'll be helping to put a spotlight on a disease that deserves more attention.
- Find out more about World Pancreatic Cancer Day at wpcd.worldpancreticcancercoalition.org
- Find out more about the Purple Lights for pancreatic cancer day campaign at purplelightsuk.org
- Watch and share the one minute video - the symptoms of pancreatic cancer - on YouTube at https://youtu.be/m_qVP2oau0c
Men's Mental Health Awareness Month
This month's campaign supports anyone who identifies as male or a man and suffers from mental health issues.
Remember you are not alone; there is always someone willing to listen to you and support you. Reaching out to someone you trust and talking about your feelings is the first step.
Try using the ALEC Model to check in on your friends and family.
A- Ask: Start by asking how they are feeling. If you have noticed any changes in their behaviour, even little things.
L- Listen: Give them your full attention. Let them know you are hearing what they are saying and not judging them.
E- Encourage Action: Tell them to focus on the simple things that might improve how they feel.
C- Check in: Check in regularly, If you don't live together use phone calls and FaceTime to talk. It may be useful to schedule a time each week when you are both free so you can give them your undivided attention.
More information
Learn more about men and mental health including tips on how to pick yourself up when things get tough at mentalhealth.org.uk
You can access more information, advice and support about men's health at movember.com
Support for staff
Remember Our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) delivered by Workplace Options is available 24/7 for free, confidential, independent advice and support on any issue that matters to you and your family. Phone them anytime on Freephone 0800 247 1100.
Payroll Giving
Giving Tuesday on 30 November is the day to give to others.
You can give time, a helping hand, a smile or you could consider alonger lasting positive way to give such as volunteering or supporting a charity with tax free Payroll Giving.
Wow! StC will be matching new donations on Giving Tuesday to our charity partners up to £10.
There are so many charities that would welcome your support, from foodbanks, cancer care, animal welfare to mental health charities, there is a charity for everyone.
Doing good makes you feel good. So how much will you give on Giving Tuesday? Click on the link above to give each payday to your favourite charity.
Payroll Giving - the gift that keeps on giving.
