Highland Council to consider service to support mental health of staff and councillors
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A NEW service to support the mental health and wellbeing of Highland Council staff and councillors could save the local authority £30,000 per year.
On Thursday, councillors will consider whether to approve the procurement of an employee assistance programme for staff and members which could offer telephone and internet-based counselling 24 hours a day.
A council spokeswoman said: “The proposed service could provide personal support on a variety of mental health and wellbeing issues and could help to reduce sickness absence; provide early intervention; and promote wellbeing.
“The introduction of a programme through procurement is estimated by the council to potentially lead to an annual reduction of £30,000 counselling costs to the council.”