Good health isn’t just physical
It is often quoted that one in four of us will have mental health issues in our lifetime but the pandemic has tested that statistic, with the proportion of adults experiencing some form of depression almost doubling since pre-pandemic levels.
A clue our mental health isn’t as good as it could be are simple changes in behaviour such as eating more than normal, not sleeping well or drinking too much alcohol. The Every Mind Matters app is designed to give specific self-help tips to help you feel more like yourself.
If you prefer talking things through you can self-refer into IAPT services often known as talking therapies. You don’t even need to see your GP. Unsurprisingly, these services have seen a rolling quarterly access increase from 290,100 in March to 311,800 in May across the country and in the Midlands in 2020/21 we saw 110,590 people referred finish their treatment.
You can access this service in in Coventry and Warwickshire by contacting our Healthy Mind Service, you can visit the website or call 02476 671 090. You can also www.nhs.uk/talk to find more options.
Access to community services for adults with serious mental illness has increased from 475,400 having two or more contacts in March to 483,900 in May. 24/7 urgent mental health support is available to all adults and children. If you or a loved one are experiencing a mental health crisis, find your local 24/7 mental health crisis line at nhs.uk/urgentmentalhealth.
In Coventry and Warwickshire you can find mental health support by visiting our Find Help Now page or by calling 08081 966798.
Help Us Help You (HUHY) by seeking help early. If you’d rather not talk to your GP download the Every Mind Matters app or self-refer to talking therapies. All NHS staff can also access our staff mental health and wellbeing hubs, which provide free confidential support. For information on the hubs, including how to access your local hub please go to: https://www.england.nhs.uk/supporting-our-nhs-people/staff-mental-health-and-wellbeing-hubs.
Support for anyone affected by mental health
The following local and national mental health support and helplines are also available:
- NHS Mental Health Access Hubs: Freephone 08081 966798
- Rise (for children and young people) call 08081 966798 (select option 2).
- Dimensions Tool offers immediate tailored self-help support and signposting to local services.
- Coventry Safe Haven: 6-11pm every day; 07921 876065 or email coventryhaven.mhm@nhs.net
- Warwickshire Safe Haven: 6-11pm every day; 02477 714554/07970 042270 or email safehaven@cwmind.org.uk
- Chat Health is a free service that enables 11 – 18 year olds across Coventry and Warwickshire to send confidential SMS text messages to School Nurses who will provide impartial advice and support.
For Coventry, text 07507 331 949
For Warwickshire, text 07507 331 525
- Visit Coventry City Council and Warwickshire County Council website to find out about the range of mental health and wellbeing support services available to you.
- The Samaritans call 116 123
- YoungMinds Crisis Messenger: text YM to 85258
- Papyrus Hopeline UK suicide prevention helpline: call 0800 068 4141 or text 07860 039967
- Every Mind Matters is the national NHS mental health support to help you manage and maintain your mental health, as good mental health makes such a difference. Resources, tools and free apps are available to help support you and your family. Recently launched is the ‘make inside feel better” campaign, largely aimed at those most at risk of mental health problems. Aimed at adults, but weighted towards those most at risk of mental health problems who can take the free NHS-approved ‘Mind Plan’ quiz.
- Togetherall Support Network is an anonymous online mental health and wellbeing service that combines the online forum element where people can support one another, as well as 24/7/365 clinical support and creative tools, resources and courses. Available for residents in both Coventry and Warwickshire.