Breathing Space – Scotland’s Listening Ear For Over Twenty Years.

Scotland’s mental health matters to Breathing Space, a free and confidential mental wellbeing helpline that has been supporting people for over two decades.

Launched nationally in 2004, Breathing Space became a national phoneline and has been offering support for people in Scotland with anxiety, depression and low mood (over the age of 16).

Breathing Space is part of a suite of mental health services delivered by NHS 24, and the service offers support to those who need it via both phone and web chat. The service is open Monday to Thursday 6pm until 2am and from Friday 6pm to Monday 6am.

Tony McLaren, the national coordinator of NHS 24’s Breathing Space service explains the purpose and goals of the organisation in more detail:

“We offer a safe and supportive space for individuals experiencing low mood, depression, or anxiety, where they can talk openly and receive advice and information. Our goal is to empower people with the resources they need to recover and improve their mental well-being.”

Advisors at Breathing Space are experienced and come from a variation of backgrounds, such as mental health, social work and counselling. When you call, you also have the option to talk to a man or woman. In suitable circumstances, the advisors may offer advice on specific resources in your local area.

The service is beneficial in numerous ways, which Tony McLaren expands upon:

“The largest positive impacts of Breathing Space’s service include the immediate emotional support we provide, which helps to alleviate feelings of isolation and loneliness. By offering a listening ear and practical advice, we enable people to navigate their mental health challenges more effectively and access further support if needed.”

While these are milestone figures, Tony McLaren explains what factors may still prevent people from pursuing support for their mental health:

“Early intervention and access to support services are crucial in managing mental health conditions and preventing them from escalating. However, there can be specific barriers that prevent people from seeking out mental health support, such as stigma and lack of awareness about available services.”

Regarding mental health stigma, he also acknowledges that Scotland still has progress to make:

“While public awareness campaigns and open conversations about mental health have helped to reduce stigma, there is still work to be done to ensure that everyone feels comfortable seeking the support they need without fear of judgement.”

Breathing Space also advocates for active listening, which can be achieved through their Learn to Listen tips -

· Be attentive

· Listen without judgement

· Reflect and clarify

· Validate feelings

· Use non-verbal cues

· Be patient

· Allow for silence

· Ask open-ended questions

· Offer support, not solutions

If anybody is struggling with their mental wellbeing, Tony McLaren has offered this advice:

“Anyone feeling overwhelmed, alone, or in need of support, should remember there are free and confidential services out there, such as Breathing Space, to lend a compassionate ear and advice. We encourage anyone who is struggling to reach out to Breathing Space for help."

Breathing Space Number: 0800 83 85 87

Phoneline Hours –

Weekdays: Monday-Thursday 6pm to 2am

Weekend: Friday 6pm-Monday 6am

Webchat Hours -

Monday to Friday, 6pm to 2am

Saturday and Sunday, 4pm to 12am

Comentarios