What is a Mental Wellbeing Practitioner (MWP)?
MWPs are experienced mental health professionals with a background in psychological therapies, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).
They are trained to assess common mental health difficulties such as anxiety and depression, and to identify the most appropriate level of support.
The service is provided specifically to support the WMAS workforce, and also offers specialist advice to managers and colleagues on supporting staff within the organisation.
Your WMAS Mental Wellbeing Practitioners
Kerry Bayliss
Laura Long
Sarah Greswolde
Confidential support to help you stay well at work
This is a workforce-only service for WMAS staff. It is not available to members of the public or individuals who are not currently part of the organisation.
If you are a member of WMAS staff and are experiencing difficulties with your mental wellbeing, you can access confidential occupational support through the MWP service.
We help you understand what’s going on, what might help, and how to access the most appropriate support for your situation.
You can refer yourself directly. You do not need to wait for a manager referral.
How to access support
Access to individual support is via self-referral using the MWP Service Referral Portal. This is the quickest and safest way for us to provide appropriate advice and support for WMAS staff. Using the portal ensures your request is securely recorded, tracked, and reviewed so that support can be matched to your needs as quickly as possible.
The team mailbox is available for general enquiries, follow-up information, or to request support with accessing the service. It can also be used by managers to seek guidance on supporting staff, or to discuss group support, mental health awareness, and training needs. It is not monitored as a primary referral route for individual support.
What happens when you contact us
- Submit your contact details via the referral portal
- Complete a confidential structured online assessment sent to you by email
- This can be completed straight away or at a later time that suits you
- If the form is not completed within 24 hours, a reminder email will be sent during service working hours
- A clinician reviews the information you have provided
- You receive personalised guidance and next steps, usually within 4 working days
Most initial contact will be by email, allowing you to review information in your own time and refer back to it when needed.
What's changed from 1st April 2026
You will no longer be automatically booked into an initial appointment for information gathering.
Instead, a structured online assessment is used to gather the information needed to understand your situation and provide tailored guidance.
This allows us to:
- respond more quickly
- match support to level of need
- use specialist appointment time where it is most beneficial
Appointments are still available where they are likely to help, but are now offered following clinical review rather than as the starting point for everyone.
What the service offers
The service uses a stepped approach, meaning support is matched to your needs within an occupational context.
Depending on your situation, this may include:
- practical advice and signposting
- guided self-help resources
- short-term psychological support
- support with work-related difficulties and workplace adjustments
- referral to appropriate internal or external services
Many people benefit from targeted self-help approaches. Where more structured support is needed, we will help you access the most suitable option.
What the service is not for
To ensure people can receive the right support quickly, it is important to be clear about what this service does not provide.
This service is not:
- available to the general public or non-WMAS individuals
- an urgent or emergency mental health service
- a crisis or out-of-hours support service
- a general listening service without an occupational focus
- a diagnostic or medical treatment service
- a replacement for your GP or NHS mental health services
If you need urgent help, you should contact NHS 111, your GP, or emergency services as appropriate.
FAQ’s
Is the service confidential?
The service is confidential.
Clinical records are stored securely and are not accessible to anyone outside of the MWP service, except where there is a lawful basis to do so.
Your manager will not be given details of what you discuss without your consent. In some cases, it may be appropriate to confirm that you have accessed the service, but not the content of any discussions.
This is an employer-provided occupational service, not an independent external service. Access to the service is linked to your employment with WMAS and will normally end if your employment ends.
In line with professional, legal, and organisational responsibilities, information may be shared without your consent where there is a lawful basis to do so. This includes situations such as:
- where there are serious concerns about your safety or the safety of others
- where there are safeguarding concerns
- where disclosure is required by law (for example, court orders)
- where it is necessary to prevent serious harm or to meet the organisation’s legal duties
Where appropriate and safe to do so, this will be discussed with you before any information is shared.
Will accessing support affect my career?
No. Accessing support will not negatively impact your career.
Mental health difficulties are common, and staff across all roles and levels access the service. Seeking support early is encouraged and viewed positively.
If you have any concerns about equality, fairness, or how you are being supported at work, you can discuss this directly with HR.
Is their other support available?
Depending on your situation, one or more of the following may also be helpful:
- WMAS Wellbeing Hub
- Qwell online counselling and live chat
- SALS peer support
- Occupational Health
- Your GP or NHS services where medical or specialist input is needed
Part of our role is helping you navigate these options so you are not left working it out alone.
Can I get help accessing the service?
We recognise that a standard online form will not work for everyone.
If completing the assessment is difficult due to disability, language, or another barrier, you can contact the team to request a reasonable adjustment.
This may include alternative ways of providing information, such as a phone or video-based appointment.
For help completing the form, SALS can provide confidential support:
sals@wmas.nhs.uk | 01384 215880
For general enquiries, manager guidance, or to discuss group support or training needs, you can contact the MWP team mailbox:
mentalwellbeing@wmas.nhs.uk
Ready to access the service?
As mentioned above, access is via self-referral which begins with clicking the referral portal button below and is the quickest and safest way for us to provide appropriate advice and support. If staff would like support to complete the self-assessment form, SALS can provide confidential assistance. This can be accessed via the SALS mailbox sals@wmas.nhs.uk or helpline: 01384 215880 . It is advisable to talk with your management team if your difficulties are related to or impacting on your work, but this is not a requirement for accessing the MWP service.
The service provides remote, standard business hours occupational mental wellbeing support to help staff remain in or return to work. It is not resourced to provide a crisis or emergency service and cannot be used for urgent or immediate safety interventions, acute risk management, or out-of-hours support. Staff should contact NHS 111 for out-of-hours support or phone 999, as appropriate.
Feedback, compliments or complaints
We welcome feedback on the service. If you would like to provide a compliment, raise a concern, or make a complaint, this can be directed to the Head of HR.