Coaching will offer mental health help

A start-up Scottish-based social enterprise is aiming to help support the growing mental health crisis resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic.

Headcoachonline is launching its online life coaching services for a number of mental health issues this month.

Provided by qualified professionals, their aim is to make coaching more affordable and accessible to people in Monklands who need it.

With the NHS and mental health charities facing long waiting lists, and private counselling unaffordable for many, Headcoachonline hopes to fill the gap to reach residents.

The launch of this new coaching service comes at a time when the second wave of the Scottish Covid-19 Mental Health Tracker survey, which was carried out between mid-july and mid-august last year, a time when Covid-19 restrictions had been eased, showed 13.3 per cent had thought about taking their life in the past week.

Hilda Smith, co-founder of Headcoachonline, said: “Many people suffering symptoms associated with mental health may not recognise their feelings are associated with mental health.

“Through coaching, what we offer is a first step for people to help understand why they sometimes feel the way they do, and equip them with future life skills to enhance their self-esteem and confidence.

“Our workshops are educational and teach coping strategies and life skills to boost resilience.”

The innovative social enterprise has been founded by Hilda and Joe Mcguire who, between them, have more than 40 years’ experience in training, CBT, counselling and therapy.

Hilda added: “We were motivated to set up Headcoachonline after hearing of the emotional difficulties many people are experiencing during the Covid-19 pandemic.”

The workshops are delivered as a six-week block with a one-hour duration per week via Zoom and are priced at just £60 (£10 per session); the first block cover topics such as stress, panic attacks, sleep issues, anger and living with loss.

Full details can be found at www. headcoach.online