Coronavirus: Looking after your mental health during Lockdown

Shropshire Council are advising residents of the importance of looking after their mental health during the four-week national Lockdown.

People may be experiencing anxiety or low mood around the current situation, especially with extra worries around job security, finding new work, their financial situation or issues within their family.

With so much change and uncertainty, it is understandable that you may be feeling a little worried, low, or stressed. These are normal responses to what is, for many, a difficult situation. However, if you are troubled by constant, repetitive thoughts which lead you to feel anxious or overwhelmed, some extra support might be helpful.

A list of mental health services here to help you during lockdown

There is lots of information on how to manage anxiety on the Every Mind Matters page, as well as the NHS mental wellbeing audio guides to help boost your wellbeing. You can refer yourself to a free NHS talking therapies service without seeing your GP.

Lockdown and the need to self-isolate has meant some people are experiencing loneliness and isolation. A full list of local resources and support is available on our website

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

“The coronavirus pandemic has had a huge impact on us all and prioritising mental health has never been more important than it is now.

“Lockdowns are never easy, but this one will feel very different due to the darker nights and colder weather. I know many people will be feeling anxious and more than a little fed up with the new restrictions. It is going to be a challenging month, so that’s why it is so important to look after both your physical and mental well during this time.

“If you do need to reach out, please do. We are fortunate in Shropshire to have lots of local services that are here to help. Now more than ever we must pull together as a community to take care of ourselves and each other.”

Ideas to protect and support mental health include:

• Have a routine – plan regular calls/video calls with friends and relatives and make time for regular breaks if working from home;
• Plan leisure time and exercise – wrap up warm and head outside for a winter walk, discover online exercise classes, plan themed movie nights in and learn a new skill;
• Look at your eating habits – dark winter nights’ call for comfort food can leave you feeling sluggish and can affect your mental health. Enjoy a balanced diet packed with plenty of energy and mood-boosting foods such as fruit and foods rich in vitamin C;
• Reach out for help as early as possible – seek help with things like debt, finances or practical support with shopping for food or medicines. Worrying about these will have a negative effect on your mental health.

Children and young people will also be feeling the effects of lockdown. There is a list of local services available to support them.

For details on how we can help with money worries click here

.Step Up and help us stop the spread of coronavirus:

• Stay at Home
• Work from home, if you can
• You can only meet one other person not in your household or bubble, outdoors in a public place, socially-distanced.
• Wash your hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
• Do not leave home if you or anyone in your household has symptoms
• Wear a face covering in indoor settings (food shops, workplaces) where social distancing may be more difficult, and where you may come close to people who are not part of your household or bubble.
• Anyone who has any symptoms should book a test and not leave home for at least 10 days. Those living in households should self-isolate for 14 days if they or any members of the household receive a positive test.
• You can book a test by calling 119 or click here

For local advice and support during the pandemic (especially if you are self-isolating), call Shropshire Council’s COVID-19 Helpline on 0345 678 9028 (lines open on the weekend on Saturday from 9am-4pm and Sunday 9am-12pm) or visit our website at www.shropshire.gov.uk/coronavirus.