MIND YOUR MIND (MENTAL HEALTH SIGNPOSTING) | ELLIE HATCHER
If you are struggling...
Lockdown has affected so many different things in our lives. From our jobs, businesses, routines and finances to supermarket shopping and our social lives, but what about our mental health? The sudden change of life rhythm has been difficult for many people to work out and even though it’s just over a month into it, if it’s still not feeling normal, that's definitely ok! Because it’s not normal! I’ve heard the phrase ‘a new normal’ being spoken a few times, however, when will it ever become normal to not see or hug our friends and family? To be queueing up with a 2 metres gap away from anyone else? Or for our health workers to not have the equipment they need to treat their patients properly?
It’s important to remember that these are strange and very ‘un-normal’ times, and our mental health may be affected in different ways, perhaps in ways that we’ve not experienced before. The most important thing to say is please don’t carry these things alone. Although we are separated by distance, we are definitely not separated from support.
First of all, If you are having any thoughts or feelings of suicide or need urgent help with your mental health please call 111 or 999 so that you are able to speak to somebody profesional who will be able to help you.
There are some really good phone services if you would just like to chat to somebody about the way you are feeling:
Samaritans 116 123 - this is a phone line which is open 24/7 any time of the day and there is no charge to call this number, so even if you have no credit you will still be able to speak to someone: https://www.samaritans.org
Childline - if you are under 19 and seeking support you can call 0800 1111 between 9am and midnight to speak to a dedicated childline counsellor. A Childline counsellor: will listen to you, is genuine, open and friendly, knows about the problems young people can face, won't judge you or put you down, isn’t easily shocked, will let you take your time: https://www.childline.org.uk/about/about-childline/#Whoweare
Shout- If talking to somebody over the phone is a bit much at the moment, ‘Shout’ is a 24/7 service where you can send a text message and speak to somebody via messaging. It is an anonymous and free conversation that won’t show up on your phone bill. Text Shout to 85258: https://www.giveusashout.org/get-help
There are also some great online resources:
Mind - This website is filled with information, advice and support regarding mental health. In particular their A-Z page is especially helpful, it covers such a wide range of topics: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/a-z-mental-health
Youngminds - This website has a really good page focused on our Mental Health and Coronavirus with so many positive wellbeing tips for the different ways in which it may be affecting us: https://youngminds.org.uk/find-help/looking-after-yourself/coronavirus-and-mental-health
Family Lives - This is a charity which supports families. There is an especially helpful advice page they have put together to help parents cope during the lockdown: https://www.familylives.org.uk/advice/your-family/family-life/coping-practically-and-emotionally-during-the-covid-19-outbreak
This is just a very small selection from the abundance of help, support and advice which is out there! You are not alone in this! Do keep in touch with us, we would love to know how you are doing. And if there is something you would like us to pray for please drop our curate, Jenny, an email: jenny.newman@stwderby.org
