Lots of us are feeling worried about the ongoing coronavirus outbreak. While the focus is often on physical health, it's important to remember the impact on our mental health too. You don't need to be an expert on mental health to be there for someone. Think about using our three top tips:
1) Check in
You might not be able to meet face-to-face, but picking up the phone, having a video call, starting a group chat or messaging someone on social media lets them know you are there to talk and ready to listen.
2) Listen and reflect
Whether you have a mental health problem or not, this will be a challenging time for our mental health and wellbeing. If someone opens up to you, remember that you don't need to fix things or offer advice. Often just listening, and showing you take them seriously, can help someone to manage.
3) Ask questions
Ask how people are managing, and ask again if you're worried they aren't sharing the full picture. Asking again, with interest, can help someone to open up and explore what they're feeling
If you’re feeling anxious or worried about Covid-19, and need some advice around managing your own mental health, our partner charity Mind have developed some information and guidance around managing your wellbeing.
Rethink Mental Illness Our partner charity Rethink Mental Illness have resources for looking after your wellbeing and managing your money during the Covid-19 outbreak. They also have information for those severely affected by mental illness as well as carers. Visit their site
Checking in on your family, friends and colleagues is always important. But during the coronavirus outbreak this will be more important than ever.
Originally published on: https://www.time-to-change.org.uk/coronavirus?amp