Who should access this service

Our Occupational Health Counselling service differs from what you might receive were you to be referred to counselling from your GP or local talking therapies service.

Occupational Health Counselling is designed as a short-term and time-limited route of support, with a specialism in issues which may be related to your work or workplace wellbeing. If your issue is of a more long-standing nature, or requires a more specialist support service (such as bereavement, domestic violence etc), it is our suggestion that you contact your GP in the first instance.

Please note that our Counselling service is also unsuitable for those seeking urgent support. For more information on the urgent support available to you, scroll to the bottom of this page. A waiting list is in operation for Occupational Health Counselling services.

If you’re unsure whether Occupational Health Counselling is right for you based on the information above, please get in touch with our Occupational Health Team on [email protected] or on 0191 445 5494 between 08:30am – 4:30pm, Monday to Friday.

Accessing our Counselling service

All #TeamGateshead colleagues can refer themselves to our Counselling service by completing the form which can be downloaded through the button below. Where preferred, your manager can also refer you with your permission.

Our team can be contacted Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays) between the hours of 9:00am – 5:00pm. The team will always endeavour to get back to you as quickly as is possible and can be contacted via:

• phone on 0191 445 5494; or
• e-mail on [email protected]

A waiting list for these services is currently in operation, however all who refer to the service can expect contact to let you know that we have received your referral.

For those in need of more urgent support, please scroll to the ‘In case of emergency’ section at the bottom of the page.

What does our Counselling support look like?

When you have referred, our team will aim to provide a response to your referral within one working day. In this communication you will be given an idea as to the current waiting times to access support, and signposted to potential other avenues of support in the meantime.

While triaging your refferal, we will assess it to ensure you’ll receive the most suitable, effective and timely support possible. This may mean that sometimes we refer you onto a partner organisation.

Before you access any counselling provision through Occupational Health, you can expect to have an initial conversation with one of our counselling team.

Counselling courses tend to be comprised of 6 one-hour sessions, although this isn’t set in stone.

Attendance at Counselling Appointments

During 2023, one in every three of our counselling appointments didn’t go ahead because they were either cancelled, went unattended or postponed. This problem is particularly concerning as it is occuring during a time of sustained high demand for our counselling services – which only makes that problem more complex.

To maintain an efficient and effective service, we need to maximise the use of our time – so we’re asking for your help. It is understood that attending appointments can become more difficult. However, prioritising your health and wellbeing remains preferable not only in your own interests but also in those of our patients. Please do what you can to attend your designated appointments.

In the instance that you not attending your appointment is unavoidable, please let us with at least 48 hours notice via email on [email protected] or phone on 0191 445 5494, between Monday to Friday, 8:30am – 4:30pm.

If you do not let us know you cannot make an appointment more than 48 hours in advance of the appointment itself, we will no longer be able to re-arrange the appointment itself. As a result, your current course of counselling will be reduced by one session. 

In case of emergency

In the event of a crisis, it is advisable to contact your GP,visit your local Accident & Emergency Department or contact your local crisis team. Visit the NHS website to find the contact details of your local crisis team.

If you’re in crisis and need to talk to someone urgently, a number of free and anonymous 24/7 helplines can be help you. All helplines listed below are manned by trained staff who are dedicated to helping you through difficult times and experiences.

• Reach out to Samaritans on 116 123; or
• Start a conversation by texting SHOUT to 85258
• Lean on the National Suicide Prevention Service for a supportive listening conversation on 0800 689 5652
• Or utilise the Hub of Hope to discover more mental health support options available to you locally.

Remember, you can also get in touch with the NENC ICS Staff Wellbeing Hub team Monday to Friday between 9:00am – 5:00pm (excluding bank holidays) on 0191 223 2030.

For more support helplines, including those which offer targeted support for those of varying personal characteristics such as race, sexuality, gender and more, visit our suicide prevention page via the button below.