There is no doubt we are all facing different, and challenging times in our lives whilst we learn to live in a different way with Covid 19.   We realise that for many with fragile mental health, and those now developing poor mental health, the news they see or hear can create or heighten anxiety, induce or increase depression and feelings of suicide and make us all feel extremely isolated and fearful.

It’s important to remember that  much fantastic work is being done by scientists around the world to find ways to combat Coronavirus. Our Doctors and Nurses are tirelessly caring for those in hospital and let’s not forget, people DO recover and the vaccines now available give us additional hope.

So how do we keep ourselves mentally well and stable during this period? What resources and support groups are available throughout this time to offer the support you need, ideally when you need it?

We have put together a list of service providers in the Warwickshire area (where we are based) whose aim is to continue working, for you, supporting your emotional wellbeing, wherever possible, now and in the future. Our sincere thanks to Jane Holdsworth at Warwickshire CAVA for circulating our request for information email to all providers on their list and to those who have responded so positively, so quickly. This list will be added to on a regular basis, so please do keep checking back. If there’s a support service you’re aware of that is continuing to operate, then email us and let us know and tell them about us so we can get them listed. The more information we have, the more access to relevant and suitable resources we can provide you with. Please note, we are happy to list national as well as local services.

Standard Rate phone calls (please check with your provider) to our  Listening Line, operating 8am until midnight 7 days a week.

SAVE OUR NUMBER 0300 1020 505

Other Services: We offer  public zoom discussions for mental health.  Check out our events page for more details, dates and to register.

Springfield Mind Services Wellbeing for Warwickshire: All Peer led drop ins and walk ins have been cancelled. This allows for an increase in phone contact from the Practitioners. Many of our staff are self- isolating but continue to work from home. The preferred method of contact with our service users has been identified, so, be that by phone or email, we will contact them as a minimum on a weekly basis. Mood Masters Warwickshire and Worcestershire: Mood Masters remains postponed until further notice. Individuals who attend these groups will be offered a telephone call / email and video session. Green Minds: Green Minds remains open, please contact the main admin base on 01789 298615 for further information as this could change shortly. Get Set To Go: The weekly walking groups in Leamington Spa will continue at this current time. Please contact the main office for any further detail 01789 298615 CAASS: The Autism groups for adults; the peer groups and education programmes have been cancelled, from the 23 rd March 2020. The current attendees will be kept in touch either by phone or email. Breathing Space: Individuals that have been referred via Orbit will be offered telephone and / or email support. Peer Support Wychavon: Walk and talk support will be offered at this current time for individuals already in service. In addition: Springfield Mind will continue to staff the office and is contactable on 01789 298615 National Mind Info line: 0300 123 3393 Website details: https://springfieldmind.org.uk/ or https://www.mind.org.uk/ Mental Health Matters 24hr helpline: 0800 61671  PLEASE NOTE THIS IS A CHANGING LANDSCAPE AND SERVICES MAY ALTER ON A DAY TO DAY BASIS. IF YOU NEED ANY FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT THE MAIN OFFICE ON 01789 298615

The Samaritans – Stratford Upon Avon Samaritans: 116 123

The Samaritans have had to stop their drop in service but volunteers are continuing to staff our 24 hour freephone and email service although there may be a slight wait to get through at peak demand – particularly 10pm-2am.

Lifeways Natural Health Charity

LIFEWAYS IS ONE OF THE UK’S LEADING PROVIDERS OF SUPPORT SERVICES FOR PEOPLE WITH DIVERSE AND OFTEN COMPLEX NEEDS IN COMMUNITY SETTINGS.

Through our national network, we provide choice support options which includes: Supported living Community support Residential, high complex care Short breaks and respite Transitional support for young adults Lifeways is aiming to stay open for as long as possible during the current crisis.  Our therapists are all self-employed, but many are electing to continue working at our premises as we have such stringent safety protocols in place. For general enquiries Tel: 0207 202 6300  Email: head.office@lifeways.co.uk

Parents In Mind – Coventry and Warwickshire

Parents in Mind is available in Coventry, Leamington, Stratford, Nuneaton and Rugby. If you are feeling low, anxious, disinterested in your usual activities and are pregnant or within a year of giving birth, then our friendly, welcoming support may be for you. Our trained, female peer supporters can offer time and support through the Parents in Mind groups running in the local area.  A welcome, friendly, safe space is available to meet others going through similar experiences, seek information, talk things through, or simply relax. Babies and toddlers welcome. Attendance is by referral and this can be done by you, or through a health professionals such as your midwife, health visitor, GP, family nurse. To refer yourself or someone else, or to find out more please contact Sarah on 07885 975261 or via email on parentsinmind.wc@nct.org.uk. NCT, 30 Euston Square, London NW1 2FB www.nct.org.uk Support Line: 0300 330 0700 Registered charity in England and Wales: 801395 and Scotland: SC041592

Our vision is of a world in which no parent is isolated and all parents are supported to build a strong society

Coventry & Warwickshire Partnership Trust including ‘It Takes Balls To Talk’

Our advice would be for residents of Coventry & Warwickshire to call the 24hrs  Mental Health Matters Helpline 0800 616171 trained advisors to support people through crisis situations. On line we have The Staying Alive App free for Cov & Wark residents to download this provides prompters for reasons for living and emergency contacts for local services. The Big White Wall – Again online but this is for individual to talk on line talking anonymously, we know that this is popular with men who may struggle with talking to others. IAPT – Improved Access to Psychological Therapies  – A NHS service self-referral for anxiety and depression, using Cognitive Behavioural Therapies Techniques.  CBT online differing approaches can be found as not one size fits all. The Recovery Academy who have run courses dealing with emotions / stress depression etc are seeking to move courses to an online portal, they have a prospectus online describing what they did until the Covid 19 crisis hit. It Takes Balls To Talk – we will be seeking to do more on line in the near future .We have links on our website  to the CALM Helpline which is open from 5pm till midnight 7 days a week and is both on phone  0800 585858  and online via their website , this service directed at men or anyone who needs to talk about problems.

Props Mental Health & 6ft from the Spotlight

Props at the moment is run by myself, predominately for those in the acting industry, but everyone needs help and support. We operate on social media and offer general chat / supportNetwork / Facilitate Suicide Safe Talk, Suicide Intervention, and Mental Health First Aid Laura, who runs Props, has personal experience of fragile mental health and found that online chat was a great coping mechanism for her to help escape her isolation. This is how Props evolved in December 2018. Props have amalgamated with 6ft from the Spotlight and Leo Thomas. Effectively, they do the same work but with a focus on crews of film / tv / theatre and casts of films. They are an emotional health and wellbeing Charity. Contact Props Mental Health via Twitter by clicking HERE and 6ft from the Spotlight via their website by clicking HERE .

Mental Health Matters

MHM Safe Havens continue to operate although we are only able to provide telephone, text and email support at this time, and cannot provide face to face sessions until further notice. People can access this support from the following contact methods during our opening times (6pm-11pm);

• Nuneaton 07887 627 524
• Leamington 07483 991 763
• Coventry 07921 876 065, or 07850 901 146, or 07525 990 764.
• coventryhave.mhm@nhs.net
• warwickshiresafehaven@mhm.org.uk

If you need mental health support outside of these times please call our 24/7 helpline number on 0800 616 171.