A Message from the Editor,

Sonia Last 📝

My boots are ready for walking and my bookshelf is sagging under the weight of expectations, so however tough things get this winter, I’m going to amuse myself in grand manner. Inspiration, cosiness and keeping well are my three magic tricks. If I’m not stomping down a river path, I’ll be in a gallery soaking up some warmth and colour or curled up with a brilliant mind.

Whatever keeps you whole this winter – do that - and remember that when the cyclical magic of nature and the creative spirit collide, a little joy is sure to follow.

Sonia

Sonia Last

Editor

FREE Networking Event!

Join the mental health at work conversations at our free, online network event. The next one is on: Thursday 27 November 2025, 12:00 – 1:30pm and it's the last one of 2025, so let's make it a great one!

Register here for your Zoom invites. Everybody is welcome to share their thoughts and findings around organisational wellbeing with others who are looking to hone their practice.

We hope to see you there!

Clarifying the role of Mental Health First Aid at Work

It’s important that both employers and employees understand the role of the Mental Health First Aider including its value, impact, boundaries and limitations as it is vital to their successful functioning within the workplace. Those who have qualified are best placed to communicate this to others and so better manage expectations from leaders and colleagues alike. Collaborating with other mental health first aiders and champions will provide mutual support and clarity around the role while establishing wider good practice within the organisation.

Free samples and resources

Encourage your friends and colleagues to access the free mental health resources and sample modules on our learning platform. You can also try our valuable Mental Health First Aid Taster Course, which lets you tap into our course modules, resources and community forums to see what mental health training is all about.

Some reports we think may be of interest:

• The mental health charity Mind's, Big Mental Health Report for England and Wales 2024 shows a worrying picture of where we are at in terms of support and investment for mental health.

• CIPD’s Good Work Index report is an annual benchmark of job quality in the UK and provides all the stats, data and insights to keep you informed.

Monotasking, focusing on one task at a time, is all the rage as it’s been found to be better for our brains and nervous systems than multitasking. It can help protect us from burnout and is a more efficient way of getting things done. A recent University of California study found that it takes 23 minutes to refocus after a distraction. Interruptions, distractions and displacement activities can keep us scattered and stressed. A healthier strategy is to practice living intentionally - one monotask at a time.

What we're reading:

Sonia says...

"I’m reading 'The Undivided Past – History Beyond our Differences' by David Cannadine. Throughout history humanity has defined itself through constructed categories of identity such as nationhood, race, religion, civilisation, gender and class but have found ways to collaborate rather than engage in conflict and division. A timely book that a few world leaders have obviously not read."

Angela says...

I’m reading a book called ‘Food in Painting’ by Kenneth Bendiner, which explores the role of food in depicting social context and how food is used as symbols in painting throughout history from the Renaissance to the present. An interesting read if you love food and art!

Favourite Words:

TOLERANCE:

The ability to respect and accept others' beliefs, practices, and opinions, even if they are different from our own. Key characteristics are awareness, respect, acceptance and self-control. Being able to sit with one’s own discomfort and manage our feelings without negative reaction is a practice in peace preservation and open mindedness.

BRAIN ROT:

A feeling of mindlessness that descends when we spend too much time scrolling through rubbish online and the corrosive, aggressive dumb content itself, the nonsense memes and AI garble – Sophie McBain, freelance writer.

Thank you all for learning with us and being a powerful force for good in the world.

We hope all your future collaborations are mellow and fruitful.

Warm wishes,

Sonia and the MHScot Team

www.mentalhealthscot.land