Many people are feeling overwhelmed, anxious or are experiencing a low mood right now. Many of us may find Christmas difficult already for lots of different reasons. The coronavirus pandemic is affecting the way many of us live our lives, and it's normal that this will affect your mental health.
The measures are introduced to keep people safe during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, but you might need help to deal with the way you’re feeling.
Aside from talking to friends and family, if you’re feeling anxious or worried there are a number of services that can help.
Public Health England has advice on looking after your mental wellbeing during the coronavirus pandemic, as part of the Every Mind Matters campaign. It includes:
- 10 tips to help if you're worried about coronavirus
- Looking after children and young people
- 7 simple ideas to tackle working from home
- Mental wellbeing while staying at home
There are people you can talk to.
A range of support services can be accessed by people who are already experiencing mental health issues as well as people who may be struggling with the social distancing and self-isolation restrictions.
Support being offered includes the following:
Shout crisis service - a 24/7 text service (with trained crisis volunteers who will chat using trained techniques via text responses). Bolton residents should text GMBolton to 85258.
Kooth - an online counselling and emotional wellbeing platform is available to any young person (age 11-18) who may be struggling with their mental health – and particularly during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Living life to the full is one of the world’s most used wellbeing support packages and aims to provide key information using everyday non-complex language
SilverCloud – an online therapy programme for adults proven to help with stress, anxiety, low-mood and depression.
Time2Talk - family mediation service. If you are having family disagreements or disputes during this difficult time, Time2Talk offers free, confidential, and impartial mediation interventions to Bolton residents to improve relationships and to stop situations reaching crisis point. Contact 01204 331965 or to time2talk@bolton.gov.uk
Beelieve - mental health charities across Greater Manchester have teamed up in a new campaign, Beelieve, to support individuals, families and communities affected by Covid-19.
Greater Manchester Bereavement Service - if you’ve been bereaved and need support.
If you are experiencing a mental health crisis and you don’t feel like you can keep yourself safe right now, seek urgent help from your local GP surgery and ask for an emergency appointment.
If you are having suicidal thoughts, the Samaritans are there to talk to for free on 116 123, they're always open and are there to listen. You can also send an email to jo@samaritans.org and can expect a response within 24 hours.
Locally, the charity BAND, who provide 1-1 and group support all year round, will also be open over the Christmas period, including on Christmas Day to provide support. You can contact them on 01204 380643 or band@family-action.org.uk to find out more.
You can also contact Single Point Of Access (SPOA) to be referred onto the best service to help you for anxiety and depression on 01024 483101 Monday to Friday 9am-5pm (except on bank holidays) or visit www.gmmh.nhs.uk.
Cllr Susan Baines, Executive Cabinet Member for Wellbeing said: “Many people will be separated from family and loved ones this Christmas and this can have a direct impact on their mental wellbeing.
“Christmas can be a difficult period for people anyway, but the pandemic can make things even harder. If you are struggling with your mental health don’t suffer in silence. Seek help from the support services.
“There are people you can talk to for help.”