Mental health

Edition 15 – Wednesday 1 July

Mood of the nation
The Office for National Statistics publish weekly findings from their Opinions and Lifestyle Survey.
Click here to see the latest release

Cheering stats from this week: almost half of adults (43%) reported that there were some aspects of their lifestyle that had changed for the better since the Covid-19 pandemic. Of those who reported that some aspects of their lifestyle had changed for the better, over half (56%) said that they were now able to spend more quality time with people they lived with, while 50% were enjoying a slower pace of life and 47% preferred that they were spending less time travelling.

What you can do if you feel lonely during the Covid-19 outbreak
Every Mind Matters has produced guidance for people who have suffered from loneliness during lockdown and feeling anxiety about the slow opening up of services and adopting a new normal. Click here for the full details

Ways to be kind to yourself
Our lovely members at Bedhampton Community Centre have produced a newsletter in readiness for re-opening, and asked their groups for a top tip on “Ways to be Kind to Yourself”.

Here’s a selection that made me smile:

• Sing-a-Lings – Think of a Disney film, and sing your favourite song from it.
• Friendship Group – Write a letter to a friend, without mentioning Covid-19 once!
• South Zone Dance – Have a kitchen disco!
• Sing Sing and Book Club – Read a book with a music theme, or bonus points if you can sing a song with a book theme!
• Solent Country Dancers – Can you remember the Gay Gordons? I’ll give you a start – for-ward 2,3,4 back 2,3,4…
• Short Mat Bowls – Dig in your recycling for your empty bottles, and make yourself an at-home bowling alley (if you can make your own woods and a jack out of your recycling, you’re winning!)
• The Young Creatives – Pick a monologue and learn it in your best theatrical style.
• Line Dancing – Pop on some country music and line dance your way around the house, grapevine to the left and kick ball change your way to the kitchen!
• Craft Club – Using what you have at home, make a gift for a friend or neighbour to put a smile on their face.

Edition 14 – Wednesday 24 June

Work-related stress, worker wellbeing and mental health
The Covid-19 outbreak has increased pressure on workers and HSE has resources to help employers support them with stress and mental health conditions.

Planning, training and support can all reduce pressure and bring stress levels down. Our guidance can help you support employee mental health by managing work-related stress. It includes a talking tool kit to help prevent stress in the changing working environment.

Edition 13 – Wednesday 17 June

Managing Moods
Italk’s new online option for Managing Moods is now available to book. The 6-week course is available for direct booking, without needing to see your GP or have an assessment. It’s based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, which looks at the links between our thoughts, feelings and actions, to teach proactive ways we can change what we do or how we think, to improve how we feel. You can find more information and book on your free place here

No internet access?

Italk are also able to offer assessments and treatments by telephone, so please encourage anyone who needs support to self-refer by calling 023 8038 3920.

Edition 12 – Wednesday 10 June

Helpline for young people
Free telephone helpline for young people aged 11 – 17 in Hampshire and Isle of Wight, who are struggling with their mental health. Callers will have immediate access to:

• One to one confidential, emotional support
• Advice on healthy coping skills and resources
• Signposting to useful apps and websites
  To access the Hampshire and IOW CYP Crisis Line please call: 0300 303 1590

Victim Support – new 24/7 Live Chat Service and My Support Space
Victim Support now have a free, 24/7 confidential live chat service which is available to all victims of crime.

They have also launched ‘My Support Space’, a free secure online platform containing interactive guides, tips and videos to topics such as difficult emotions, coping strategies, trauma and sleep. These are all common issues that people may experience after crime, but may be intensified during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Problem gaming
Gaming charity publishes guidance on behaviour during lockdown for parents The guidance from the Young Gamers and Gamblers Education Trust covers topics ranging from controlling in-app purchases to signs of gambling and healthy gaming behaviour. Read more on the YGAM charity website.

Edition 11 – Wednesday 3 June

• What to do if you’re a young person and it’s all getting too much
• Advice for parents, guardians and carers on how to help and support a child or young person with mental ill health, suicidal thoughts or self-harming behaviours

Edition 10 – Thursday 28 May

Mental health resources for charity workers
Charity work can take a toll on our mental health at the best of times. In the current situation, it’s more important than ever to take care of your own mental health, and that of your employees and volunteers. Charity Digital has compiled a selection of online resources to support you

Edition 9 – Wednesday 20 May

Anger management support for young people and their families
(Hart, Rushmoor & Basingstoke)
Headspace offers free services to young people and their parents, carers and supporters – here to help those who are finding the current restrictions are leading to tensions and possibly angry outbursts at home. Referral is quick and easy, just email or call or text 07464 507974 requesting support and someone will respond within 24 hours to listen to your concerns and offer help.

Victim Support – new 24/7 Live Chat Service and My Support Space
Victim Support now have a free, 24/7 confidential live chat service which is available to all victims of crime. They have also launched ‘My Support Space’, a free secure online platform containing interactive guides, tips and videos to topics such as difficult emotions, coping strategies, trauma and sleep. These are all common issues that people may experience after crime, but may be intensified during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Edition 8 – Wednesday 13 May

Pandemic is causing poor mental health in a third of children, says healthcare provider
More than three million children in the UK could be struggling with poor mental health due to the Covid-19 pandemic, according to new research from Benenden Health. Nearly a third of parents (29 per cent) revealed they had seen a negative impact on their children’s mental wellbeing since the outbreak of the virus. As a result, Benenden Health has developed a dedicated Covid-19 hub, providing online materials and advice for people including children and parents to help them manage their health and wellbeing. For more information, click here

Every Mind Matters
An update from the Every Mind Matters team at Public Health England has arrived. The majority of accessible assets: audio version, braille, large print (including suitable for screen readers) and BSL video of “10 top tips” assets are available in the Campaign Resource Centre.
See for yourself what’s available here

Problem gaming
Gaming charity publishes guidance on behaviour during lockdown for parents. The guidance from the Young Gamers and Gamblers Education Trust covers topics ranging from controlling in-app purchases to signs of gambling and healthy gaming behaviour.
Read more on the YGAM charity website

Edition 7 – Wednesday 6 May

Mental Health Awareness week 18-24 May
Ahead of Mental Health Awareness week, the theme of which is ‘kindness’, St John Ambulance have created a range of resources including creating and maintain a supportive workplace, a wellbeing self-assessment tool, and a kindness calendar.

Helpline for young people
New free telephone helpline for young people aged 11 – 17 in Hampshire and Isle of Wight, who are experiencing mental health crisis. The service started on Monday (4th May), for an initial period of 6 months. Caller will have immediate access to:

• One to one confidential, emotional support
• Advice on healthy coping skills and resources
• Signposting to useful apps and websites

If you would like to access the Hampshire and IOW CYP Crisis Line please call: 0300 303 1590

Winchester Street Reach
Winchester Street Reach is still here, and you can reach them online! On Monday’s and Friday’s find them on the Houseparty app, where you can sign up for free and have group chats with the team and other young people. Mondays: 7 – 8.30pm. Fridays: 6-7.15pm. You can also message them on Instagram and their youth workers will be on hand to offer confidential advice and support or you can contact them through Facebook or their website.

Edition 6 – Wednesday 29 April

Mental wellbeing helpline
Solent Mind advisers can offer support to people feeling anxious or low as well as practical guidance on keeping mentally well during the lockdown. The Solent Mind Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Helpline is available to residents of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight from Monday to Friday, between 10am and 4pm (except bank holidays) on 023 8017 9049. The confidential service can also refer callers to specific local support, such as benefits advice or bereavement services. The helpline is available on – 023 8017 9049 and is open Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm.

Video counselling for children and young people
121 Youth Counselling is offering Video Counselling Sessions for Young People aged 11-25 who might be struggling with the current situation. The service is open to anyone aged 11-25 who lives in Hart district, goes to school there, or is registered with a Hart GP surgery. They can provide up to 6 free confidential online video counselling sessions. Please visit the website for more information

italk
italk are still able to welcome new referrals. Their 1-1 treatments are continuing, with some adjustments, and they are working towards being able to offer their group therapies and educational courses online. For more information on the service’s response to Covid-19 visit their website. italk have also created a series of bitesize wellbeing videos teaching ways to look after your everyday emotional wellbeing. They are publishing a new video each Saturday on their Facebook page, focussing on the challenges of life at the moment – from making the most of your time and staying motivated, to helping prevent your worries from snowballing. Or catch up with any you missed here

New mental health toolkit!
The HAPPY KIT is a new mental health toolkit for any professional working with young people! It’s a training booklet covering 14 areas of wellbeing including sleep, anger management, self harm, panic attacks and much more! Each wellbeing topic covers did you know facts and activity ideas. The booklet also comes with educational postcards that can be given out to young people for advice and information. For more information visit their website

Edition 5 – Wednesday 22 April

Every Mind Matters campaign 
Public Health England has updated its Every Mind Matters platform with new COVID-19 mental health guidance and tips to help people look after their mental and physical health whilst staying at home. There is advice for individuals and parents who are concerned about their children. You can view the other resource packs from PHE here

Edition 4 – Wednesday 15 April

Youth Counselling

Winchester Youth Counselling has asked us to let you know that their service is continuing during the current crisis.  They are happy to support young people aged 11-25 and parents of adolescents who live in the district of Winchester who might be struggling at the moment with their mental health.

They can support by phone, Skype or Zoom and if people want to contact them for some temporary support, they can be e-mailed or phoned on 01962 820444  [email protected]

Edition 2 – Wednesday 1 April

Rethink Mental Illness information hub
The charity’s hub contains practical information and support for people living with mental illness and their carers. It says O2 users can access the site without using up any of their data allowance.  You can access the hub here.

Social support helpline
A new telephone line has been set-up by the mental health funding hub the Blurred Line Group. The social support line, which is open from 9am to 9pm, is intended to alleviate social isolation by letting callers chat about their days, with volunteers boosting morale and creating uplifting conversation.  For further information, click here.