What we do 

We believe in a ‘recovery approach’, whereby:  

 

• You will be continually involved in all aspects of your support and fully involved in the decision-making process.  

• Support will focus on your strengths, aspirations and goals to encourage and assist you to achieve choice and direction over your employment situation. 
• We will jointly create s support plan to identify your goals and how you can achieve them.  

 

Who we can help 

To take part in the programme, you will need to fulfil the following criteria: 

• Be over the age of 18 
• Be registered with a GP in Buckinghamshire 
• Have a common mental health problem e.g. stress, anxiety, depression.  

Please note, this service is not available in Milton Keynes.  

 

What we offer: 

 

• Up to 6 sessions with a dedicated Employment Specialist  

• Support is offered over the telephone or on Microsoft Teams  
• Sessions are usually up to 45 minutes.  
• Sessions take place Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm  
• Out of hours appointments can be offered from Monday to Thursday for those who are in work and unable to make day time appointments.   

 

Our Retain Service supports people who are experiencing difficulties due to anxiety, depression or other common mental health problems, to retain employment. We aim to maximise your chances of maintaining your employment when problems arise. Some of the areas we can help with include:  

 

• Bullying and harassment 
• Problem with managers or relationships with colleagues 
• Difficulties associated with your work environment 

• Capability, Disciplinary or Grievance processes 
• Returning to work from sick leave, including phased returns  
• Negotiating reasonable adjustments  

 

Our Employment Specialists can: 

 

• Help you deal with problems at work by identifying goals and developing an action plan  
• Offer basic information on employment legislation and The Equality Act, and guide you to organisations who offer more specialist advice  
• Offer advice and guidance to help you find alternative employment (see ‘Our Regain Service’ below). 
• Support you during work meetings, with your employer’s agreement 

• Help you draw up a back-to-work plan, if appropriate.  
• Provide a wealth of other information and resources  
• Offer workshops on assertiveness, time management and confidence at work.  

 

Our Regain Service supports people who are unemployed but want to return to employment or training. 

 

Our Employment Specialists can: 

• Offer advice on job searches, disclosure, CV’s, making applications and interview techniques. 
• Support you to access voluntary work or training.  
• Provide advice, or guide you to further help, with the financial implications of starting a new job 

• Work with you to understand your preferences, values, experiences and skills 
• Help to establish links with potential employers   
• Help you with any adjustments that may be required in your workplace 

 

 

How to get help: 

 

To access the employment service, you must have an assessment with Healthy Minds and the clinician with make the referral to the employment service if you have been identified as having an employment need.  

 

You can refer yourself directly to Healthy Minds, by: 

• Completing the referral form on our website: www.healthymindsbucks.nhs.uk 
• Telephone on 01865 901600 
• Email healthy.minds@oxfordhealth.nhs.uk 
• Texting “TALK” and your name to 07798 667169,  
• Asking your GP for a referral to Healthy Minds.