Mental health and wellbeing advice
How to combat COVID-19 anxiety and maintain your mental health
People anxious about the spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and the strain of being isolated from others are being urged to turn the tables and become ‘COVID warriors’.
Dorset HealthCare, the provider of all NHS mental health services in the county, is urging people to stay home, stay positive and be creative in order to maintain emotional wellbeing during the current outbreak.
We’re in this together
There are lots of ways in which we can support each other’s wellbeing. As a basis for managing your own wellbeing - and supporting friends and family - why not use 'The Four Pillars of Wellbeing':
Find lots of support, advice and guidance by typing what you're looking for in this search bar or clicking on the pillar buttons below...
Our month-long ‘Wellbeing: we're onside' campaign runs from 27 April through the club’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts. Daily posts Monday-Friday each week will share lots of wellbeing topics and advice, linking to resources through this page. You'll be able to find and share ideas ranging from keeping active, feeding the family during lockdown and sleeping better, through to where to find immediate professional help.
Helplines and support groups
Whether you're concerned about yourself or a loved one, these helplines and support groups can offer expert advice.
Dorset services
Connection
24-hour helpline, on 0300 123 5440, offering urgent telephone access to mental health advice and support for people of all ages
Domestic abuse and safeguarding
During lockdown families are spending much more time together and this can increase stress and harm. #youarenotalone if you live in Dorset help is available.
If you are worried about a child who may be being harmed, abused or neglected in Dorset you can report concerns.
If you are worried about an adult who may be at risk of harm, abuse or neglect you can report concerns.
CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service)
Offering assessment and treatment to children and young people up the age of 18 who are experiencing significant mental health difficulties. Support also for families and carers. Services provided across Dorset, with main bases in Bournemouth, Poole, Weymouth, Blandford and Dorchester.
A local peer-led charity to improve the lives of everyone affected by mental illness by promoting wellbeing and recovery. We believe people with lived experience of mental health difficulties have a wealth of specialist knowledge and valuable expertise. We believe in the effectiveness of partnership working in the design and provision of mental health services. Everyone has an equal right to enjoy all the opportunities life can provide, which is why we promote the principle that hope, mental health and wellbeing are essential to all.
A multi-disciplinary team of pain specialists, supporting you to develop new skills to understand your body and deal with pain with greater knowledge and confidence. Together, we provide a range of services so that we can tailor what we offer to match your clinical and personal needs. This will help you come to terms with your pain and adopt effective strategies for living life meaningfully.
A free, confidential NHS service for anyone aged 18+ who is experiencing problems with low mood/depression, anxiety or stress and is registered at a GP surgery in Dorset (including Bournemouth and Poole) and in Southampton.
We provide support either over the telephone, face-to-face, in groups or via the internet. We are a self-referral service, which means you can contact us directly to access support. We also accept referrals from GPs and other healthcare professionals.
National helplines and support groups, as listed on the NHS UK website
Support if you have been diagnosed with an anxiety condition. Phone: 03444 775 774 (Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 10pm; Saturday to Sunday, 10am to 8pm).
Helping people living with manic depression or bipolar disorder.
The Campaign Against Living Miserably, for men aged 15 to 35. Phone: 0800 58 58 58 (daily, 5pm to midnight).
24/7 stress support for men by text, chat and email.
Information and support for anyone with mental health problems or learning disabilities.
Promotes the views and needs of people with mental health problems. Phone: 0300 123 3393 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm).
Support for sufferers of panic attacks and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Phone: 0844 967 4848 (daily, 10am to 10pm). Calls cost 5p per minute plus your phone provider's Access Charge.
Support for people with OCD. Includes information on treatment and online resources. Phone: 0845 390 6232 (Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 5pm). Calls cost 5p per minute plus your phone provider's Access Charge.
A charity run by people with OCD, for people with OCD. Includes facts, news and treatments. Phone: 0333 212 7890 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm).
Young suicide prevention society. Phone: HOPELINEUK 0800 068 4141 (Monday to Friday, 10am to 10pm, and 2pm to 10pm on weekends and bank holidays).
Support and advice for people living with mental illness. Phone: 0300 5000 927 (Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 4pm)
Confidential support for people experiencing feelings of distress or despair. Phone: 116 123 (free 24-hour helpline).
Emotional support, information and guidance for people affected by mental illness, their families and carers. SANEline: 0300 304 7000 (daily, 4.30pm to 10.30pm). Textcare: comfort and care via text message, sent when the person needs it most: www.sane.org.uk/textcare. Peer support forum: www.sane.org.uk/supportforum
Information on child and adolescent mental health for parents and professionals. Phone: Parents' helpline 0808 802 5544 (Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 4pm).
