Mental Health Awareness Week

It's Mental Health Awareness week and this year the theme is kindness. Coronavirus is testing us all and it's normal to feel stressed, upset or even angry at the moment. But looking after your emotional and mental wellbeing is vital during these uncertain times. We're all doing our best, but sometimes it's ok to not be ok. However there's plenty of help and advice out there, from telephone helplines to online courses, easy every day wellbeing ideas to simple meditation and breathing exercises.

Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust has launched a new telephone support line for Derbyshire residents experiencing increased distress or anxiety. It's staffed by mental health professionals and you can call 0300 790 0596 between 9am – midnight daily. The NHS has a national mental health support campaign running called Every Mind Matters.

You can find advice and help, including a free plan with tips to help you deal with stress and anxiety, online at www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters

You can find also find lots of support information online at Derbyshire County Council at www.derbyshire.gov.uk/emotionalwellness

Online help for mental health

You may be worried about your health, the health of your loved ones, concerned about money or feeling stressed at home. The good news is that there are lots of things that we can all do to look after our emotional health, even at this time. Most of the ideas don't cost anything and we can start many of them right now.

We've collected together a list of websites, support lines, videos, and apps with some great tips to help you to look after your emotional health.

Find lots of ideas for keeping your mental health in good shape online here.

Derbyshire Helpline

Mental health support is now available to Derbyshire residents of all ages through a new mental health support line thanks to Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. Call 0300 790 0596 between the hours of 9am and midnight, seven days a week.

The mental health support line is for Derbyshire people of all ages who are experiencing increased mental health needs during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

This includes:

• People who are currently supported by Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust with their ongoing mental health needs
• The carers of those currently being supported by Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
• Other Derbyshire residents who are experiencing increased distress or anxiety at this time.

Kindness

Kindness is the theme of this year's Mental Health Awareness week and this means to yourself as well as others. You can get lots of inspiration and ideas on how to be kind on our Derbyshire Spirit website here.

We're gathering together stories of the amazing work that Derbyshire residents are doing during these difficult times.

If you've got a story to share then drop us an email at derbyshirespirit@derbyshire.gov.uk

New mental health support website

A new website has launched that aims to bring together lots of local and national support and advice around emotional health and wellbeing. Visit the new Derby and Derbyshire Emotional health and wellbeing website here.