Turkey and Syria earthquake – support for staff
It is estimated over 24 million people are affected by the devastating earthquake that hit Turkey and Syria in the early hours of 6 February 2023. There have been over 44,000 deaths (updated 22 February), with thousands of buildings collapsed and transport, water, sewerage and power systems destroyed. People are living without clean water, food or shelter in cold, wintery conditions.
We're here to support any health or social care staff affected by this tragedy. You may have family and friends in Turkey (now known as Türkiye) or Syria, or relatives in the UK or elsewhere, who are worried or upset. You may be supporting your family, emotionally, financially and balancing this with work.
Even if you don’t have a direct connection, we’re all affected by human suffering. You might be watching a lot of the distressing footage on the news and social media and find it hard to switch off at night. It may remind you of other natural disasters, conflicts, losses and hardship across the world and in the UK.
Tips for news anxiety
We’ve seen a lot of sad and negative news in the past few years and this can affect our mood or mental wellbeing. Find tips on how to deal with this:
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How to cope with news anxiety - Mental Health UK - What news anxiety is, how it can impact us, how we can help ourselves counteract this
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Look after your mental health during scary world events | Mental Health Foundation - Tips like seeking local peer support, mental health care and setting boundaries when consuming news.
For children and young people affected by news and social media:
- BBC Newsround – If you’re upset by the news
- Advice for young people |social media use and mental health | Young Minds
If you need help dealing with stress, difficulty sleeping, or your mental wellbeing, see our support for staff.
For an information sheet to help you support colleagues affected by these issues, see Support for your team.
Wellbeing Matters - here to support staff
If you work in health or social care, in any role at all – and you live or work in Berkshire, the Wellbeing Matters team is here to help you. We offer staff free, confidential support on issues that affect your wellbeing, for individuals and teams.
Support for you
- Call our Wellbeing Line : 0300 365 8880, 9am–4pm, Monday to Friday, except bank holidays. Leave a message to ask for a call back.
- Email: WellbeingLine@berkshire.nhs.uk to ask for a call back.
- Try a SilverCloud for staff online programme. Learn coping strategies to help you with stress, sleep, anxiety, depression, money worries and more. You can choose to do courses as self-help or supported.
Support for your team
- Book a wellbeing workshop or informal consultation about how best to support your team, email staffsupportservice@berkshire.nhs.uk
- Book a team wellbeing hub now to share difficult experiences and ways of coping with your colleagues, facilitated and supported by a psychological practitioner.
- Supporting your team in challenging times information sheet, is our new guide with tips for managers, team leaders and wellbeing leads on how to support your colleagues at difficult times.
How to donate to earthquake appeals
If you want to donate to help people in the affected areas: