Mental Health Awareness Week takes place from 12th – 18th May 2025. The annual event was created more than 20 years ago by the Mental Health Foundation to bring the UK together to focus on mental health.

Their report, The State of the UK’s Mental Health found that nearly two thirds (65%) of people in Scotland say they have experienced a mental health problem, and more than 4 in 10 people say they experienced depression.

To mark Mental Health Awareness Week, Gildeas Director Emma Thomson discusses the impacts an accident can have on our client’s mental health, and the support available for those affected.

Recognising the effects of mental health

As a certified trauma-informed personal injury solicitor, Emma represents individuals who can come from all walks of life. She said, “Trauma comes in different shapes and sizes, and can impact each of us in different ways. It can arise from their accident, or an unrelated trauma – past or present.”

Many of our clients seek support from Gildeas having experienced a traumatic accident or life event, and some may go on to receive a specific diagnosis. Below we cover some of the conditions often seen in personal injury cases.

Anxiety and depression

Physical injuries often lead to unexpected lifestyle changes such as a loss of mobility and loss of independence. This can lead to feelings of hopelessness and sadness, which can escalate into clinical depression.

Depression is typically thought of as experiencing low mood, but it can also look like feelings of irritability, anger, or feeling ‘numb.’ Many clients also report physical symptoms of poor concentration and memory, trouble sleeping, or reduced appetite.

The fear of re-injury or general anxiety about safety can become overwhelming after an accident. Anxiety can manifest as panic attacks, obsessive worrying, or avoidance behaviours such as avoiding using the car or going near the location of the accident.

Trauma-related psychological injuries and PTSD (Post-traumatic stress disorder)

Mental health charity MIND define trauma as “When we experience stressful, frightening or distressing events that are difficult to cope with or out of our control.” Significantly, the effects of trauma can be long-lasting, and can remain well after the physical effects of an accident have passed. This can sometimes develop into post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

PTSD UK estimate that around 1 in 10 people go on to develop PTSD at some point in their lives, and list road traffic accidents as one of the most common examples of a traumatic event. Their studies show that about 25-33% of people involved in a road accident may develop PTSD within 30 days. Symptoms may include intrusive thoughts, nightmares and flashbacks, avoiding reminders of the trauma (such as avoiding driving or getting into a vehicle), low mood or disassociation, difficulty sleeping, and being constantly on edge (hypervigilance), and more.

Adjustment disorder

Following an accident, people often struggle to adapt to new circumstances, whether it’s from reduced mobility or ongoing pain. This emotional difficulty can be classified as an adjustment disorder. This is usually seen as less severe than PTSD. For example, the symptoms may be temporary and start to ease as the client recovers from their physical injuries. Symptoms can include low mood, trouble sleeping, anxiety, and avoidance behaviours.

Somatic symptom disorder

Somatic symptom disorder (SSD) occurs when a person feels extreme, exaggerated anxiety about physical symptoms which can interfere with their daily functioning. This can occur even when there has never been an underlying physical injury, or when the original physical injury has resolved but symptoms persist.

SSD is complex and can be difficult to diagnose, as although the pain they experience is very real, those with SSD can be unaware of the psychiatric nature of their symptoms.

Advocating for recovery, not just compensation

We believe that legal representation should be tailored to your needs, which is all the more important in clients who may have experienced trauma. We have a number of practices designed to support claimants with compassion and clarity.

We offer the right person for your case

With certified trauma-informed solicitors in our legal team, we understand how to approach sensitive conversations with care, and create a safe, respectful environment for each and every client.

We ask the right questions

We aim to collect the information we need to pursue your case whilst ensuring your wellbeing is at the heart of what we do. Gildeas Director, Emma Thomson said, “I’m honest and up front with clients about what information I and others need from them, and I offer them a choice in how they provide this information. For example, I’ll explain clearly at the onset that a meeting, medical examination, or court appearance could be a difficult experience for them. I explain how long it might last and offer, where possible within my control, the option to pause or arrange a further time to discuss.”

We refer you to the right experts

We work closely with medical professionals and mental health specialists to ensure your psychological needs are recognised in your claim. We’ll always endeavour to signpost you to the correct tools or support organisations to help you look after yourself, which may include medication, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), further counselling, or a combination of these to help support your recovery.

We offer the right strategies

Managing claims can be even more challenging for those with mental health symptoms, and no one’s experience of trauma is ever the same. We offer greater flexibility and control to help reduce stress during the process.

Emma explained, “I adapt to the individual clients and understand that their needs will differ depending on their circumstances. For example, offering clients a choice on the location, format, or timing of meetings. I also consider if I need to make alternative arrangements for obtaining evidence from them. For example, do we need to arrange another time to take their evidence, or should it be done over multiple meetings. I hope by giving control to clients, it minimises the risk of re-traumatisation.”

Other services, such as:

  • Childminding
  • Looking after pets
  • Gardening
  • DIY and home maintenance
  • Driving. This includes mileage and parking. Again, this would only be for anything related to your injuries. For example, if you needed picked up or dropped off at doctors/hospital appointments.

What you can do

Our clients have a part to play when recognising their own mental health needs. For example:

Communicate with us

Many people still feel a stigma around mental health which can discourage them from discussing it. We understand that we may be the first person you’ve opened up to, and you might be embarrassed to do so. Whilst we understand that talking about parts of your claim could be traumatic, it’s important to be upfront about your symptoms so we can support you effectively as your legal advisor.

A crucial factor is being open about what kinds of support you may need. Please tell us if there are adjustments we can make, e.g., meeting in a different format, or giving evidence in a different way.

Understand and manage your expectations of the claim process

For some claimants, receiving financial compensation might feel like an underwhelming conclusion rather than the closure or justice they had hoped for.

That’s why it’s so important for clients to understand and manage their expectations – for example, start by checking our FAQs or services pages for further information on the process.

We aim to be clear about what a personal injury claim can – and cannot – achieve. We’ll always explain the process to the best of our ability – ensuring you know what it involves, what we require from you, and what the ultimate outcome may be.

Conclusion

At Gildeas, Mental Health Awareness Week is a chance to highlight the often-overlooked emotional impact of personal injury. We’re committed to supporting our clients with empathy, understanding, and practical solutions that recognise the full scope of their recovery. Whether it’s adapting how we work, offering access to expert mental health support, or simply making space for honest conversations, our goal is to make the legal process more manageable.

This Mental Health Awareness Week, we encourage anyone impacted by injury to reflect on their wellbeing, reach out for support, and know that you don’t have to face the process alone. Your story matters, and we’re here to listen.

Gildeas Solicitors is a recognised law firm specialising in personal injury claims, supporting you throughout Scotland from our offices in Glasgow and Edinburgh. We’re passionate about what we do, whilst putting our clients’ interests first. That’s why we make personal injury personal.

Considering our services? Call our dedicated team today on 0141  331  6070.