A Message from the Editor,

Sonia Last 📝

As champions of mental health and workplace culture, we know how important our individual and collective mental wellbeing is to ourselves, our organisations and our communities, so we put effort into creating supportive environments and expect others to help us scale up these initiatives.

When the uptake is slow, it’s time to bring together our mental health first aiders and other key supporters to loosen the knots hampering progress and spark fresh impetus.

With everyone being so busy and distracted lately, collaboration is the fuel needed to make a healthy workplace thrive. Like all cultures, its values, practices, artefacts and rituals need to be demonstrated and practiced so being a role model in your own small sphere can have a powerful ripple effect. Taking stock of helpful people and resources can re-invigorate your wellbeing strategy and replenishing your team can provide impetus and sustainability to your wellbeing efforts.

Sonia

Sonia Last

Editor

Mental Health First Aid for Small Groups

To make things easier for busy teams, we’re now also delivering our Mental Health First Aid training course to small groups of 2–4 people. It’s the same accredited qualification, but with quicker booking and delivery within weeks rather than months.

If you’ve got new team members or want to replenish your core team of Mental Health First Aiders this is a practical and cost effective way to do it.

Email catherine@mentalhealthscot.land or click here to find out more.

The Health and Safety Executive’s (HSE) 2024/2025 figures on work-related stress, depression and anxiety show a worsening situation across every measure, with heavy workloads, unclear expectations and psychological unsafe workplaces being the primary causes of poor mental health in the workplace.

View the report here.

Start the wellbeing conversations in your workplace by promoting awareness of some of the issues that affect our health and wellbeing.

Here are some to get started with:

5 February – Time to Talk Day 

13 March – World Sleep Day 

Your self-care toolbox:

Some of us clean out our toolboxes, handy drawers or medical supplies box every year but we might forget to give attention to our mental health toolbox too. It’s worth asking yourself what worked for you last year and what is no longer useful. Is there anything you’d could add to your ‘go to’ tools and supports that you can turn to quickly when needed? These might include useful medications or equipment, reminders and wisdoms, supportive contacts or enjoyable activities.

What helped me last year were nature walks, an artistic hobby, reading and hanging out with friends. Reminders to breathe deliberately and not react in haste and to ‘do myself a favour’ every day helped to regulate my emotions and self-care.

Spending time with people who laugh easily and working with you has been incredibly life affirming. These are tools I will keep but I will avoid people with polarising views, limit my exposure to negative news and put a lock on the fridge door.

So when doing your stock-take, if you find you need a bigger self-care toolbox, go for it.

Take all the space you need.

Favourite Quote:

'Take rest; a field that has rested gives a bountiful crop.’

- Ovid

Let’s commit to making 2026 a year where rest is respected and collaboration fuels our progress. We’re excited to support you in building a healthier, more supportive workplace this year.

We wish you self-confidence and a ready sense of humour.

Warm wishes,

Sonia and the MHScot Team

www.mentalhealthscot.land