At our July Staff Meeting, we were delighted to welcome Danny from SAMH (Scottish Action for Mental Health), who delivered an engaging and insightful session focused on resilience, mental health, and practical strategies for managing life's challenges.
The session encouraged staff to reflect on what resilience means to them, beginning with an interactive exercise that explored personal perspectives on coping with adversity and change. Through open discussion and group activities, Danny created a supportive environment where everyone could share experiences and learn from one another.
A key part of the workshop centred around SAMH's "Capacity Bucket" model. Staff worked in groups to identify different types of stress, from everyday annoyances and minor pressures to significant life events such as illness or relationship changes. These stresses were added to a visual representation of a bucket, demonstrating how accumulating pressures can gradually reduce our ability to cope and increase the risk of feeling overwhelmed.
Danny explained that there are two important ways to manage stress and strengthen resilience: reducing the stresses within our bucket and increasing our overall capacity to cope. Together, the team explored practical ways to achieve this, including:
- Setting and maintaining healthy boundaries
- Prioritising tasks and responsibilities
- Making clear decisions
- Completing tasks rather than allowing them to build up
- Creating dedicated time to tackle outstanding responsibilities
The discussion also focused on the importance of self-care and wellbeing in expanding our capacity to manage life's demands. Staff identified a range of positive habits that support resilience, including:
- Regular exercise
- Getting sufficient sleep and rest
- Spending time on hobbies
- Walking and spending time outdoors
- Taking time for self-care activities
One particularly thought-provoking part of the session explored the concept of emotional responsibility. Danny highlighted the importance of recognising that while we can communicate boundaries respectfully and clearly, we are not responsible for how others choose to react to them. This perspective encouraged staff to consider healthier ways of managing emotional pressures and protecting their own wellbeing.
As the session concluded, attendees revisited their original thoughts on resilience and reflected on how their understanding had evolved throughout the workshop. The discussion reinforced that resilience is not about avoiding difficult situations but about developing the confidence, skills, and emotional capacity to navigate them effectively.
We want to extend our sincere thanks to Danny and SAMH for sharing their expertise and providing our team with valuable tools and strategies to support positive mental health and wellbeing. The feedback from staff was overwhelmingly positive, with everyone taking away practical ideas they can apply in both their professional roles and personal lives.
At the heart of our organisation is a commitment to creating a culture where mental health and wellbeing are prioritised. Sessions like this help us continue to support our staff, strengthen resilience across our teams, and ensure that everyone feels equipped to thrive through life's challenges.
For anyone looking to learn more about mental health, wellbeing, or resilience, SAMH offers a wide range of information, resources, and support services. We encourage staff and readers to explore the helpful guidance available on the SAMH website: https://www.samh.org.uk