Information on mental health locally and nationally



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Useful information and support around Mental Health during COVID

Every Mind Matters

We understand that the coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak may be causing you to feel anxious, stressed, worried, sad, bored, lonely or frustrated -it's OK to feel this way.Try to remember, this situation is temporary, everyone will be reacting differently andeventually these difficult feelings will pass. Every Mind Matters [ [link removed] ] has some top tips to support us through this time.

There has never been a more important time to talk about mental health, so please try and take time today to pick up the phone and talk to someone.



*Nottinghams Mental Health Helpline 0300 303 0165*

If you are struggling with your mental health and need support or advice call the *new* Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust Mental Health Helpline on *0300 303 0165. *The line is open to people of all ages who live in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.

For more information, visit their website at [link removed] [ [link removed] ]



*Mental Health Crisis*

With the added stress, you may feel that you are having a mental health crisis as you no longer feel able to cope or be in control of your situation. If you feel that you cannot cope with day-to-day life or work, think about self-harm or even suicide, or experience or hear voices (hallucinations), you should get immediate expert assessment and advice to identify the best course of action:


* If your mental health team has given you an urgent phone number, call it.


* Samaritans [ [link removed] ]has a free to call service 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, if you want to talk to someone in confidence. Call them on *116 123*.


* The Tomorrow Project, [ [link removed] ] part of Harmless, offers direct support to those in suicide crisis. We are easy to access and open to all ages and genders across Nottinghamshire.


* Findlocal crisis support services [ [link removed] ]near you that can support you.


* Call NHS 111 if you need urgent care but its not life threatening.


* In a medical emergencycall 999 [ [link removed] ]if you are seriously ill or injured and your life is at risk. A mental health emergency should be taken as seriously as a physical health emergency.

See further advice from the NHS ondealing with a mental health crisis [ [link removed] ].



*National and Local Mental Health Support*

Most mental health services are now only offering support online. We have produced a Nottingham mental health signposting guide that gives details of different Helplines that you might find useful. To access the guide, please click here [ [link removed] ].


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Looking After Yourself During Lockdown

Staying Active

*Keeping physically active*

Being physically active can really help our mental health and guidelines allow you to do one form of exercise outside away from home each day, for example a walk, run, or cycle either alone or with members of your household.


* While youre out, always keep at least two metres or more away from anyone outside of your household. This will stop the virus spreading.
* Minimise time outside and wash your hands when you return home.

For those who are self-isolating, there are also lots of online resources that have been made available for free to help you to keep active in your home, or in your garden if you have one, and weve collated some of thesehere [ [link removed] ].

*Singing to improve you mental health*

Singing has proven to be a great way of improving your mental health and there are lots of community choirs around Nottingham (some are on line).

Singing for Health has a selection of YouTube videos (not livestream).

An initiative has been started by Gareth Malone to bring together amateur and professional performers during social distancing for more information check out #GREATBRITISHHOMECHORUS [ [link removed] ] or click here [ [link removed] ]

If you are interested in learning more about art and music, why not check out Google Arts and Culture [ [link removed] ]

*Avoiding Fraud and Scams*

In order to help you avoid fraud and scams during this current period please read Action Frauds coronavirus related fraud report [ [link removed] ] which includes top tips [ [link removed] ] about how to remain safe in the virtual world, including advice on avoiding online coronavirus-related scams and keeping yourself and your organisation protected while working from home.

*Worried about money?*

If you are worried about money, you are not alone. There is lots of FREE advice available. The sooner you talk to someone, the sooner things will get better. For more information click here. [ [link removed] ]



Online newspapers and magazines

*Bringing libraries into your homes*

Libraries might be closed but they are still providing information, activities and new reads that you can enjoy from the comfort of your own home.

They have launched the new Your Online Library webpage [ [link removed] ]. If you are not a member of the library dont worry, you can start enjoying free access to library eBooks and eAudio books by joining online here [ [link removed] ].

You are offered free online access to thousands of newspapers and magazines with PressReader via Nottingham Libraries.



Break Free from OCD

*Mental Health Book of the Month -Break Free from OCD*

Obsessive worries can be a drain on daily life, but this practical guide, written by three leading Cognitive Behavioural Therapy experts, Fiona Challacombe, Victoria Bream Oldfield and Paul M. Salkovskis enables you to make sense of your symptoms, and gives a simple plan to help you conquer OCD. It is available to loan as an e-book along with similar titles and much more, go to: www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/e-books [ [link removed] ]__


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A focus on OCD by Mark, Nottingham TTC Champion
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*Thoughts and reflections, facts and stats, and a lifelong battle with my constant companion *

Many of us think we are pretty clued up when it comes to Obsessive Compulsive Disorder aka *OCD*. We all know the type - those who repeatedly clean, count and check or those odd folk who need to worry less, relax and chill out more

Many of you reading this may consider yourselves a little bit OCD, in one way or another

However, OCD is far more pervasive, cruel and all-consuming so much so that the World Health Organisation has ranked "OCD in the top 10 of the most disabling illnesses by lost income and decreased quality of life"

*Traits and* *tell-tale signs of OCD*


* *Doubting yourself:* "is the window closed? Did I really turn off the light in the bedroom before I left this morning? "Doubt is something, which plagues people with OCD. The French even used to call OCD 'la folie du doute', the madness of doubt. Letting go for many sufferers is often a monumental challenge, but despite this, there is good news to be had! With the right therapy and medication, this particularly distressing symptom of OCD can be managed and the results can often be life changing.


* *Seeking constant reassurance:* because of the doubt and uncertainty that many sufferers have to deal with, reassurance seeking often becomes a fundamental need for large numbers of people with OCD. Many individuals rely on those around them to help them make sense of a world, which to sufferers, is often fraught with anxiety, danger and potential harm.


* * Apologising. Apologising: *a good many of us say sorry or excuse ourselves for reasons such as low self-confidence, habit or attempts to conform to certain cultural norms. However, for OCD sufferers, the stakes often seem a great deal higher. Many apologise excessively for fear of something bad or untoward happening either to themselves or to others. Such behaviour is often perpetuated by the intrusive thought that they as individuals are completely responsible for the safety and wellbeing, not only of themselves, but also of those close and important to them.

But, there is light at the end of the tunnel, and lots and lots of it!

The great news is that OCD is treatable: with the right therapy and medication, supportive family and friends, and a huge dollop of will power, sustained recovery really is possible!

To read more about Marks journey towards recovery click here [ [link removed] ] or twitter: @MarkJWeightman [ [link removed] ]

If you would like to know more about OCD or talk to someone, visit:


* OCD Action [ [link removed] ]
* OCD UK [ [link removed] ]

*Interested in sharing your story?*

If you are a Nottingham Time to Change Champion who would like to share your story about a different mental health condition please email [email protected]

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Domestic Violence and Abuse

Make yourself heard

For a variety of reasons, coronavirus can cause tensions in households to run high, and unfortunately that can mean both children and adults are at greater risk of domestic violence and abuse.


* If you are experiencing domestic violence or abuse call the 24 hour free phone helpline for Nottingham 0808 0808 0340 or email [email protected] or visit junowomensaid.org.uk [ [link removed] ]


* If you are concerned a child is being abused or neglected please call 0115 876 4800 or email [email protected] or call the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000 or nspcc.org.uk [ [link removed] ]


* If you are concerned a vulnerable adult is being abused or neglectedcall please call 0300 1310 300and select option 2.


* Support is also available via the freephone, 24 hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline number 0808 2000 247 and via the National Domestic Abuse Helpline website [ [link removed] ].

Often neighbours suspect violence or abuse is taking place, but are reluctant to get involved and report it. If you think, someone needs help, please dont ignore it, in an emergency always call 999 and during working hours please get advice from the services above. You can help someone who needs it.


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Mental Health Awareness Week 18-24 May

Mental Health Awareness Week takes place from 18-24 May and this year will celebrate the thousands of acts of kindness that are so important to our mental health. The Mental Health Foundation will be taking the opportunity to start an open discussion about the kind of society we want to shape as we emerge from the pandemic.

Details are still being worked up but to stay in touch check out their *website* [ [link removed] ] and sign up to receive their newsletter.

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Support for people who are self-isolating
support for people who are self isolating________________________________________________________________________

*NHS Health at Home*

The COVID-19 outbreak means the public needto stay at home as much as possible. If they need an NHS service, they should try to do it online from home first - *"unless"* there's a serious or life-threatening emergency or they have been advised to attend an existing appointment for ongoing treatment.

The NHS Health at Home [ [link removed] ]campaign signposts to information such as contacting a GP, ordering repeat prescriptions, managing wellbeing and existing conditions without leaving home.

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Mental Health Information for Employers

For workplace specific information on wellbeing and the coronavirus we suggest visiting the Mental Health at Work website [ [link removed] ] where youll find a toolkit of curated content from across the sectorin one place.

*Last opportunity to sign the Time to Change Employer Pledge*

Employers have until *9am on Monday 18th May 2020* to apply to become a Time to Change Pledged Employer and submit their Employer Action Plan. Unfortunately a decision has been made to no longer fund the roll out of the pledge and 18 May will be the final deadline. However, a package of ongoing support, including access to free masterclasses, will be provided to Pledged Employers until the end of December 2020.For more information, click here [ [link removed] ]

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