Coronavirus: New suite of mental health resources launched to support people’s wellbeing

To mark Mental Health Awareness Week (Monday 18 May – Sunday 24 May 2020), Shropshire Council’s public health team has today launched a series of mental health resources to help support people’s mental health and wellbeing, through and beyond coronavirus.

Current figures show that over 40,000 people in Shropshire over the age of 16 have a common mental health disorder. With the impact of the pandemic, this figure has started to increase. The recent Office for National Statistics Opinions and Lifestyle Survey (from 17 April to 27 April) also highlighted an increase in adults who said their wellbeing was affected.

Coronavirus: Wellbeing advice and support

The resources aim to help reduce loneliness and isolation, and provide easy access to mental health support, to help people, so that problems don’t escalate.

New resources include:

• An online information pack providing details of immediate local support and online resources for managing wellbeing, including tips for self-isolation, a children’s 14-day activity coronavirus challenge, and helping to manage coronavirus anxiety

Available at: https://www.shropshire.gov.uk/media/14773/mental-health-guide-apr20-final.pdf

• A dedicated mental health page hosted on the Shropshire Council website, containing helpful links to local services and further sources of information

Available at: www.shropshire.gov.uk/coronavirus/information-for-the-public/mental-health-and-wellbeing/

• Free anxiety, stress and wellbeing sessions workshops, delivered by Shropshire MIND using the Zoom video conference app. The sessions are open to everyone in a light and non-pressured way, allowing you to participate as much or as little as you want, and to focus on how we manage stress, understanding mental health and how to focus on our own personal wellbeing. Sessions are being hosted three days a week on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 3pm-4pm, and Thursdays 4pm-5pm. You can join the Zoom meeting at

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85043721339?pwd=MkludGZiN1cwRG9IUW1qOHdXT3ptZz09

Meeting ID: 850 4372 1339              Password: 799957

• The Big White Wall (to be launched) – will be an innovative digital approach to supporting people which will provide 24/7 online help, supported by clinical staff which would support people beyond the COVID19 pandemic
• ‘Pick up the phone you are not alone’ resource, providing some brief advice and who to contact in confidence, for anyone concerned about suicidal thoughts in themselves or someone else. Available here: https://shropshire.gov.uk/media/13319/pick-up-the-phone-you-are-not-alone.pdf

Support for those who have been bereaved by COVID-19

Additional support for people who have been newly bereaved by COVID-19 has now been developed. An information booklet will be launched next week. The book has been produced in collaboration with local voluntary and community sector organisations such as CRUSE, Samaritans and Severn Hospice, and several other organisations, and we are providing some additional dedicated support from local bereavement organisations for our residents.

Children and families in need of support

Other innovative approaches include a specific project on social prescribing for children and families, as children and families need support.

Dean Carroll, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for adult social care, public health and climate change, said:-

“The coronavirus pandemic has caused widespread life changes for all of us and in different ways. It is normal to feel anxious, stressed, worried, sad, bored, lonely or frustrated, and is OK to feel this way. However, there may be times when we could benefit from some extra help or a listening ear.

“I am delighted that our public health team, along with the support of our social care, NHS and voluntary and community organisations, have worked together to produce these easily accessible resources. I would encourage anyone who maybe feeling low, or needs some advice to support their mental health and wellbeing, to utilise these great resources.”

Rachel Robinson, Shropshire Council’s director of public health, added:-

“Shropshire Council, along with its partners, are here to support and help you, both now and over the coming weeks and months. To assist our residents during these difficult times, we have agreed to invest in an additional suite of mental wellbeing resources to help those impacted by the pandemic, as well as to protect against poor mental health, promote positive emotional wellbeing and support those with existing mental ill health conditions.

“This has been guided through our partnership and community response programmes, working with our colleagues from the NHS, voluntary and charity sector, and social care, to identify immediate needs and ensure we have appropriate mechanisms in place to address emotional wellbeing concerns sooner, before they become more complex.

“These resources are for everyone, whether you’re an adult, child, if you’re currently working. We will continue to develop our resources with our partners, to add to our new and existing range of material.”

For more information on advice and support during the pandemic, visit www.shropshire.gov.uk/coronavirus. 

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