Here for you

It may have been the season of goodwill, but for some people, the festive season was accompanied by a number of stress factors, including alcohol, disrupted sleep patterns, increased debts and family conflicts.

Events from last year, be it the death of a loved one or economic setbacks, can also be experienced more acutely during this time. In short, following the rush of the holidays, January can be a difficult month.

Sometimes we need to ask for help and support. Remember, it is never a sign of weakness to recognise when you might be struggling and to ask for any available help and support.

Getting support at work

First Class Support is a 24/7, completely confidential and independent helpline for colleagues. If you need someone to speak to, please call 0345 266 5060 to receive the following support:

• Counselling – Call and speak immediately with a counsellor. Counselling support can help with any work-related or personal issues in a non-judgemental and confidential environment. Counselling can be provided by telephone or face to face
• Legal signposting - Legal information is available via telephone with a legal expert (for up to 20 minutes) on a wide range of issues such as family/divorce, neighbour disputes, criminal, consumer, motor and injury. Where potential personal injury claims occur, such as for medical, injury and psychological distress, the legal expert can refer an employee on to another provider
• Practical help - Advice on how to clear debts is available, even large debts which are out of control. Understand government benefits, resolve accommodation issues and receive guidance on accessing elder and child care, cancer and disability support. Domestic violence is an issue that can sometimes occur and support and guidance can be provided to those impacted
• Manager coaching – Receive coaching to help support others going through change or where there are traumatic situations at work such as a road traffic accident or assault. It also includes those times where there is a conflict between team members or if there are difficult behaviour issues at work
• Physical health – Lifestyle support designed to increase physical health and fitness as well as improving work life balance and resilience. Information can also be provided for Royal Mail Group’s wellbeing website. Feeling First Class (see below for more information).

The Feeling First Class portal (code FFC1 to register) has helpful support content for your mental and physical health as well as the mental health e-Learning ‘Because Healthy Minds Matter’.

Visit www.feelingfirstclass.co.uk or download the app from iTunes or the Google Play store. For more information, go to www.rmgfirstclasssupport.co.uk.

For urgent support in a crisis: call the Samaritans on 116 123 (open 24/7) or in the case of a suicide or other emergency situation, ring 999, or 9999 from a Royal Mail landline.

If you are worried that someone is at immediate risk of taking their own life you should stay with that person and take one of the following steps:

• Encourage them to call the First Class Support helpline (open 24/7) or the Samaritans on 116 123 (open 24/7)
• Contact their GP for an emergency appointment or the out of hours support service
• Call their Community Mental Health Team (CMHT) if they have one
• Ring 999 (9999 from a Royal Mail landline), NHS direct (111) or go to the nearest Accident and Emergency (A&E) department.

Further support:

Our in-house charity, the Rowland Hill Fund offers financial aid to colleagues, pensioners and their families in times of need. Call 0345 600 4586 or visit www.rowlandhillfund.org.

Through My Bundle’s Financial Wellbeing option, Neyber, you can access debt consolidation loans and financial education. Log into My Bundle through PSP or visit www.myroyalmail.com/benefits.

Stepchange offers expert, tailored advice and practical solutions to problem debt. Contact the UK’s leading debt charity on 0800 138 1111 or visit www.stepchange.org.