Plenty of help in tough times
Tough times continue, not just in and around East Kilbride, but up and down the country.
We haven’t experienced anything like this before and there is no‘right’or ‘wrong way’to feel. One of the scariest things is uncertainty and, at times like this, people want guaranteed answers.
That’s not always possible in such an unprecedented time, and that in itself increases our concerns.
It is normal to feel frustrated, confused and worried at times like this. All-in-all the stress is valid and there are bound to be people who have never felt this way before.
I know for many ‘lockdown’is extremely difficult. Let’s face it; it doesn’t matter how much you love your family, they really can get you down at times.
Good mental health is so important and there is support available for those who need it. The Scottish government, South Lanarkshire Council and NHS, along with many, many volunteers, are able and willing to help.
The Scottish government has announced £3.8m of investment to increase capacity in telephone and digital mental health services. Further investment has been provided to expand the use of the Distress Brief Intervention which was first piloted in the NHS Lanarkshire area.
This gives the opportunity to speak to specially trained staff, sometimes talking to the same person several times over a few days or weeks. Later this month a new mental health marketing campaign will launch, offering practical advice on things we can do to make ourselves feel better, until lockdown restrictions are eased.
A good local service is NHS Lanarkshire’s recently launched‘coping with your feelings during the COVID-19 pandemic”.
Anyone calling the helpline on 01698 687 567 is assessed and signposted for further support if necessary. The stress control classes can be useful too www. nhslanarkshire.scot.nhs. uk/ free-stress-controlclasses-available-online/
Just before lockdown I visited South Lanarkshire Beacons at their Blantyre hub to talk about having a similar resource opened in East Kilbride.
A brilliant place, they offer those in recovery the chance to have their say and make decisions as what goes on in their own community. Again they are working hard during this time to make sure folk have somewhere to turn.
They can be reached on Facebook or Twitter.
Now, I know not everyone feeling lonely or a bit stressed is online, and that’s where befriending services can help – Older and Active East Kilbride have many volunteers more than happy to spend some time talking to you on the telephone.
Of course it’s not just those staying at home who can be stressed – I can’t begin to imagine the strain of working on the frontline trying desperately to help those who are ill just now. So, really pleased to hear that for some weeks already NHS Lanarkshire has had a staff helpline in place with psychologists and therapists on hand offering support and assistance during the pandemic
So remember how important it is to look after ourselves physically and mentally as best we can. If anyone is experiencing anxiety, stress, low mood or other mental health issues in relation to COVID-19, that’s normal, and you’re certainly not alone. There is help out there.
NICOLA FINDLAY
The fire service has given a stark warning that the coutryside is vulnerable to devastating blazes.
While areas of countryside continue to see reduced footfall due to social distancing restrictions, people who live within or who may enter any rural environments have been warned to exercise extreme caution.
Popular beauty spot Langlands Moss was ravaged by two fires in the space of just two years which saw the boardwalk destroyed.
There has been significant and ongoing work undertaken by conservation group, The Friends of Langlands Moss (FOLM) along with its partners, such as South Lanarkshire Council’s countryside rangers team, to restore it.
The fires at Langlands were belived to have been started deliberately causing damge in excess of £20,000.
Now the Scottish Fire and Rescue is stressing that Scotland’s countryside is “vulnerable” to fire.
A spate of wildfires could place unnecessary pressure on the emergency services as they already work to support partners and protect the public amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Area Commander Farquharson, who is also chair of the Scottish Wildfire Forum, said: “This is clearly an unprecedented time for the country, and a challenging period for the emergency services.
“While social restrictions should continue to see a reduction in the
Good mental health is important and support is available...