Public Health England’s ‘Every Mind Matters’ platform has launched new advice, focussed on looking after people’s mental wellbeing during the coronavirus pandemic. It has been updated after new data shows over 4 in 5 (85.2%) people are worried about the effect that coronavirus is having on their life, with over half (53.1%) saying it was affecting their well-being and nearly half (46.9%) reporting high levels of anxiety.
Forensic Psychiatrist Dr Sohom Das told Asian Voice, “It is a natural kind of an anxiety to feel now. Spending time with the family, focussing and home-schooling your children, being in touch with your friends and family and finding hobbies, tasks and activities to engage yourself in will help. For a minority, it would be beyond normal levels of anxiety, who may have never experienced such high levels of stress and therefore they need to seek professional help.”
A range of new resources from ‘Every Mind Matters’, designed specifically to help manage our mental wellbeing during coronavirus, includes a tailored Covid-19 Mind Plan, Covid-19 specific content for individuals and their loved ones, and support for specific mental wellbeing issues such as anxiety, stress, low mood and trouble sleeping. The website signposts people to activities such as mindful breathing exercises, help managing unhelpful thoughts, and muscle relaxation.
To help get this vital message out there, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are supporting ‘Every Mind Matters’ and have narrated a new short film which is being broadcast across national TV channels. The film portrays a range of people whose lives have been affected by Covid-19 and aims to reassure people that support is available and encourages everyone to take care of their mental wellbeing at this difficult time.
Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock said, “We have asked people to make unprecedented changes to their day-to-day lives as part of our national effort to respond to this global pandemic. Staying at home and not seeing friends and loved ones can take its toll and it is completely understandable to feel overwhelmed or anxious.
“It’s vital that we all look after our mental health in these challenging times, so today we are launching new guidance on the NHS Every Mind Matters website which is tailored to help people deal with this outbreak through practical tips and advice...”
Nadiya Hussain, Great British Bake off star and chef said, “Anxiety can be completely deafening, and right now those suffering with anxiety might be feeling it worse than ever. For me, reaching out to people, talking to my loved ones, helps manage it. You are not alone, a lot of people will also be feeling anxious and scared, and speaking about it with someone you trust will help challenge that anxiety and calm your fears. It's so important to recognise if you're struggling with your mental health, and seek out the support you need - and know that it's OK.”
