Mental Health

Looking After Your Mental Health: The Basics

Connections

Stay in touch with people, if you live on your own ask a couple of people to be your coronavirus buddies – agree that you will check in with them daily or more frequently. If they can’t get hold of you make sure they have a local contact who can come and knock on your door – create a plan in case you get sick and are incapacitated!

Connect online through zoom.us or skype or facetime – it’s important to see people’s faces!

If you live with other people and need your own space go for a walk if you can (keeping to guidelines of safe distancing), or agree ‘quiet’ time in a room by yourself.

Limiting your update time – minimise your risks of becoming part of a collective anxiety. If you run out of toilet rolls – you can always wash your bum!

Physical Health

Keep an eye on health advice for coronavirus – take care of your physical health, follow advice from the NHS here https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

Financial

Worried about money? Keep an eye on the changes the government make to alleviate the financial pressure here: https://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/articles/coronavirus-what-it-means-for-you

If you need immediate help:

The information here is to help you when you are feeling overwhelmed. Please contact these agencies for support.

In an emergency:

  • Call 999
  • Go to your local A&E department

If you’re in crisis and need to speak to someone:

  • Call NHS 111 (for when you need help but are not in immediate danger)
  • Contact your GP and ask for an emergency appointment
  • Contact the Samaritans (details below)
  • Use the ‘Shout’ crisis text line – text SHOUT to 85258

Samaritans

Available 24 hours a day to provide confidential emotional support for people who are experiencing feelings of distress, despair or suicidal thoughts.

Other sources of advice and support

Mind

Mind offers advice, support and information to people experiencing a mental health difficulty and their family and friends. Mind also has a network of local associations in England and Wales to which people can turn for help and assistance.

Lines are open Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm (except bank holidays). 

Rethink Mental Illness

Rethink Mental Illness works to help everyone affected by severe mental illness, such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, recover a better quality of life. It provides effective services and support and campaigns for change through greater awareness and understanding.

(Rethink was formerly called the National Schizophrenia Fellowship)

PAPYRUS UK

PAPYRUS is the national charity dedicated to the prevention of young suicide. They support young people under 35 who are experiencing thoughts of suicide, as well as people concerned about someone else.

Open 10am-10pm on weekdays and 2pm-10pm on weekends and bank holidays

Young Minds

  • www.youngminds.org.uk
  • Parents helpline: 0808 802 5544 (Mon-Fri from 9.30am to 4pm)
  • YoungMinds Crisis Messenger: text YM to 85258

Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM)

A helpline for men in the UK who are down or have hit a wall for any reason, who need to talk or find information and support.

5pm to midnight, every day of the year

Sane

SANE services provide practical help, emotional support and specialist information to individuals affected by mental health problems, their family, friends and carers.

  • Support Forum: www.sane.org.uk
  • Saneline: 0300 304 7000 (local rate on BT landlines) Open 4:30-10:30pm every day

NHS mental health services

Find information, advice and local services on the NHS website. You can also get advice from the NHS 111 phone service.