The Government’s Mental Health Minister has today announced that people struggling to cope with their mental health during the coronavirus outbreak will be offered additional online support and practical guidance to help them cope.
Public Health England has published new online guidance to help people manage their mental health during this difficult time.
Advice includes:
- Maintaining contact with friends and family via telephone and video calls and social media
- Keeping a regular routine and sleeping pattern
- Focusing on a hobby or learning something new
There is also tailored advice for parents and carers on how to support children and young people who are feeling stressed because of the pandemic. This includes providing clear information, being aware of their own reactions and creating a new routine.
Today’s guidance has been developed in partnership with leading mental health charities and clinically assured by the NHS. It also includes steps that those living with serious mental problems can take.
The Government has also announced a £5 million grant for leading mental health charities, administered by Mind, to fund additional services for people struggling with their mental wellbeing during this time.
Public Health England has also updated its Every Mind Matters platform with specific advice on maintaining good mental wellbeing during the outbreak.
The Government and NHS England have been working closely with mental health trusts to ensure those who need them have access to NHS mental health services. This includes guidance to trusts on staff training, prioritisation of services and how to maximise the use of digital channels to keep delivering support to patients.