Coronavirus: resources and information

As the coronavirus pandemic wears on, it is easy to feel overwhelmed by uncertainty. We have all faced worries and experienced disruption to daily life, and this is even more difficult to deal with for those of us who already struggle with our mental health.

In times of uncertainty, it's more important than ever that we take care of our mental health and look out for people living with mental illness. While the current circumstances make this more challenging, even small gestures and actions can make a difference. There are some useful resources below on how we can take care of ourselves and others and get through this together.

 

Supporting mental health during Covid-19: a brief guide

Hertfordshire County Council have commissioned us to produce a short guide for looking after your mental health, not only during lockdowns but in the months to come. This resource is intended to be used in workplaces, communities, organisations and charities as a very brief guide to having a conversation about mental health. It provides links to sources of help and support as well as practical ideas and information for people who may need some support to maintain their wellbeing during these challenging times.

You can access the guide here.

 

Resources to support our wellbeing during Covid-19

Some useful advice and articles:

• Every Mind Matters and specific resources for young people
• Coronavirus and your wellbeing - Mind 
• Guidance on the mental health and wellbeing aspects of coronavirus, and specific guidance on supporting young people - Public Health England
• Looking after your health - a guide for people living with severe mental illness - Equally Well UK
• Mental health support for key workers - Our Frontline
• Briefing on children's mental health during COVID-19 - Children and Young People's Mental Health Coalition
• Maintaining wellbeing while staying home - NHSE/I and PHE Every Mind Matters site 
• Getting support if you're vulnerable, shielding or self-isolating - NHS Volunteer Responders 
• Housing and benefits advice - Shelter
• Surviving lockdown with voices and visions - Hearing Voices Network
• Hardship Fund for people with a mental health difficulty facing financial hardship in the UK - Mad Covid
• Resilience at home guide [PDF]
  - Centre for Behaviour Change (UCL), Hertfordshire County Council and Norfolk County Council

 

Need support with your mental health?

We know this is a very unsettling time for many people. If you're struggling and want to speak to someone, try our list of helplines.

 

Our work on Covid-19

 

 

Resources for organisations and practitioners

• Guidance for psychiatrists and other healthcare professionals working in mental health settings during the pandemic - Royal College of Psychiatrists
• Demand modelling toolkit - we developed this model with NHS colleagues to calculate a forecast of additional demand for mental health services, resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic
• Public mental health and wellbeing and COVID-19 - Local Government Association and the Association of Directors of Public Health 

 

Getting the R number down: explaining reinfection rates

Our Chief Economist, Nick O'Shea, explains why getting the R number below zero is so important

How we are working during the Covid-19 crisis

At the Centre, the wellbeing and safety of our staff and the people we work with is paramount. All staff are currently working from home. We are holding online team meetings, keeping in regular contact, and holding all meetings with partners online. You can still get in touch with the team and we will continue to carry out our work and share news and updates.