Coronavirus and mental health: Supporting someone during Covid-19
Coronavirus and mental health:
Supporting someone during Covid-19
Lots of us are feeling worried about the ongoing coronavirus outbreak. While the focus is often on physical health, it's important to remember the impact on our mental health too. You don't need to be an expert on mental health to be there for someone. Think about using our three top tips:
1) Check in
You might not be able to meet face-to-face, but picking up the phone, having a video call, starting a group chat or messaging someone on social media lets them know you are there to talk and ready to listen.
2) Listen and reflect
Whether you have a mental health problem or not, this will be a challenging time for our mental health and wellbeing. If someone opens up to you, remember that you don't need to fix things or offer advice. Often just listening, and showing you take them seriously, can help someone to manage.
3) Ask questions
Ask how people are managing, and ask again if you're worried they aren't sharing the full picture. Asking again, with interest, can help someone to open up and explore what they're feeling.
Facebook
I interact as frequently as possible on my Facebook page, reading messages that people privately send me or publicly comment. I am thankful for them all.
The Facebook page is a training and awareness page supporting mental health education. This includes vulnerable and personal feelings being consistently shared - all disrespectful or inappropriate comments shall be removed.
If you or someone you know needs support or is in crisis, please contact the Samaritans on 116 123 or [email protected] - the Samaritans are open 24/7.
Thank you for your support.
Lucy
News
News
Creating a stigma free school
Creating a stigma free school
29th June 2019
Cynthia Rowe, Head Teacher at How Wood Primary School and Nursery in St Albans, discusses how Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) England training has helped create a community within their school where mental health is destigmatised and staff are confident and comfortable opening up to their colleagues.
Whatever you are going through, a Samaritan will face it with you.
Whatever you are going through, a Samaritan will face it with you.
S C H O O L S
S C H O O L S
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is a mental health skills and awareness programme.
Through training and campaigning, I equip people with the skills they need to support their own
and others’ wellbeing through an excellent level of training.
Have A Word offer a range of evidence-based MHFA England training courses from awareness raising to skill development - the Adult MHFA Two Day course is the most popular training and is designed for everyone !
Through this course I take people on a journey to understand what mental health is. I discuss how we all have mental health, like physical health and I teach people how to look after their own and others’ wellbeing.
Because the workplace is where many people spend most of their time, I provide in-house training
and consultancy to organisations of all shapes and sizes - including schools.
Not only have I taught How Wood staff, but also welcomed staff members from St Albans & St Stephens Infant School, Bernard's Heath Infant School Bernard's Heath Junior School, Alban City School, Cunningham Hill Junior School, Oakwood Primary School and Park Street School - St Albans, Hertfordshire.
Mind in Mid Herts is a local mental health voluntary service, which I proudly support as part of their Stepping Stones project. The aim is to provide a service which will help prepare for discharge by ensuring relevant knowledge of local community support agencies.
The scheme also offers up to 8 weeks one to one community support where required. I support a focused organisation and help maintain the social inclusion - building individuals confidence and self-esteem.
Reflection 2020
Reflection 2020
1st January 2020
WOW, it's almost done NYD - today has been reflective.
I've been at home with my family all day, in my pyjamas just breathing and smiling. I thought about 2019 and all that it was.
I am so positive for 2020 - I feel ready.
I will work harder on caring LESS about the people who are nothing.
Really, nothing - nothing to me and my vision. Which is super hard for someone who cares about everyone and thinks that thoughts are a lesson in one way or another, even when they come from people who are unkind and project negatively onto me.
I try and remember that it's always about them, not who I am.
Changing how I react will always be a process. Why can't everyone be kinder? Especially women. Especially people I once called friends. It's just the way it is.
2020 - my fire is brighter than ever. Keep focused. Keep kind.
Happy New Year
Lucy X
Please search @HaveAWord2 on Facebook for more like this.
"Where's Your Head At?"
"Where's Your Head At?"
is calling for employers and politicians to commit to treating mental and physical health equally in the workplace.
The campaign is led by Bauer Media UK, Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) England and mental health campaigner Natasha Devon MBE.
The group is leading calls from the public and employers for a change in legislation to ensure the Health and Safety First-Aid Regulations 1981 are explicit that First Aid obligations relate to both our mental and physical health.
"Where's Your Head At?" is also calling for organisations to strive to implement the Thriving at Work review’s six core standards for a mentally healthy workplace, which include raising mental health awareness and encouraging conversation about the support available.
At the centre of the campaign is a vision of a mentally healthy working world where people’s mental health is supported and protected, and where wellbeing is at the heart of all we do. In this world:
- We bring our whole selves to work
- We can talk openly about our mental health
- We are not afraid to ask for support when we need it
- And we thrive in work and life
Its calls are supported by a public petition and Workplace Manifesto, which continue to receive overwhelming support from the general public, employers and politicians. To date over 200,000 people have signed the petition, whilst 80 MPs and around 500 employers have given their backing to the campaign’s Manifesto.
Facebook
@HaveAWord2 Facebook community is growing each week.
I created the Facebook page when registering the business in September 2018.
Follow me, with a LIKE to keep up to date with my Psychodynamic Counselling journey, Volunteering or to read some of my reflective thoughts surrounding Mental Health.
COVID-19
COVID-19
While it is not possible to alter the format of licensed products where content is approved by MHFA International, MHFA England are currently looking at whether there could be more flexibility with other products and I will update you as soon as I have any news.
You can find useful information about the symptoms of coronavirus and what to do if you feel unwell on the NHS website. The current guidance is that you should check symptoms online, rather than call NHS 111. You can also find regular updates on the Public Health England website - www.gov.uk
Please continue to monitor the government guidance and keep yourself updated as the situation develops.
While the coronavirus infection is not serious for most people, I know that this is an anxious time for many people and that working from home can also increase feelings of social isolation. For those trained as a Mental Health First Aider, you have an important role to play in supporting others who are struggling with the uncertainty and challenges that coronavirus has created. It’s also really important to look after your own health and wellbeing, so please prioritise self-care during this challenging time.
Mental Health - Working From Home
Mental Health - Working From Home
As more organisations move to online working, human connections are more important than ever. Here are some ways to support your mental health, reduce feelings of isolation, and feel connected with colleagues while working remotely.
March 2020
NHS Volunteer Responders
NHS Volunteer Responders
NHS Volunteer Responders has been set up to support the NHS and the care sector during the COVID-19 outbreak. Our doctors, nurses, those working in local authorities and other professionals, will be able to refer people in to NHS Volunteer Responders and be confident that they have been matched with a reliable, named volunteer.
This programme enables volunteers to provide care or to help a vulnerable person, which is permitted under the new rules announced by the Government on 23rd March 2020. Join me and sign up below.
Every Mind Matters
Every Mind Matters
Having good mental health helps us relax more, achieve more and enjoy our lives more. We have expert advice and practical tips to help you look after your mental health and wellbeing.
Answer 5 quick questions to get your free plan with tips to help you deal with stress and anxiety, improve your sleep, boost your mood and feel more in control.
