Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Crisis sees mental health services make move online
People receiving mental health services from the NHS and charities will still be supported as the system adapts.
The NHS in Kent and Medway has told patients currently using services they will be updated on any changes and should speak to the person dealing with their care if they have concerns. There are also restrictions being put in place on visitors to inpatient units, which include mental health, learning disability, forensic and mother and baby units.
Helen Greatorex, chief executive of Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust, said: “To help prevent the spread, we have had to make the difficult decision to close our inpatient units to visitors. Families and loved ones are an important part of our patients’ care, so we ask they contact the appropriate ward manager and we will work with them to find an alternative way to keep in touch.”
Ms Greatorex also encouraged people to give extra thought to their mental health at a time when self-isolation and curbs on social interaction could leave some people feeling down. She said: “Regardless of if you access mental health services, it’s really important we are all looking after each other. “Mind has shared some really useful advice on staying well which includes tips on keeping active, and finding ways to spend your time.”
■ Mind, a national charity with branches throughout Kent providing mental health services, is also adapting how it delivers its work.
Maidstone and Mid-kent Mind has announced it will deliver its services online and by telephone, with all face-to-face services suspended.
A statement said: “We are aiming to implement an assortment of support to ensure that we are able to benefit our frequent service users with wellbeing support throughout this difficult period. A large majority of our face-to-face support will take place through a virtual platform.
“We will also be implementing a series of wellbeing calls for our frequent service users – ensuring you are able to still interact with a member of staff over the phone and support in the form of 10-minute conversation slots to help you maintain a sense of routine during this period.”
■ In a statement, East Kent Mind said: “We are decamping from our offices and outreach venues and, all apart from our Crisis Cafe, service are moving to a work from home-first strategy.
“We believe we can continue to serve residents and carers and be here for you, if not in person, certainly by video, email, telephone and messaging, continuing to stay in touch and conduct our business in all ways other than face-to-face. Our Crisis Cafe will however remain open from 6-10pm every evening.”
■ Deal-based Talk It Out, a mental health hub founded to combat isolation, has also switched to a ‘virtual’ service. Co-founder Tracy Carr said: “It’s such a scary time as we all suffer with anxiety and depression and all of sudden this lifeline has stopped.
“But we’re making the best of a bad situation and it’s working so far.”
■ North Kent Mind, which covers Medway, Gravesham and Dartford, has suspended faceto-face appointments, but therapists and support workers should be in touch with those they are helping.
If you need to get in touch, email admin@northkentmind.co.uk.
Mind also has a dedicated advice page for people who are worried about coronavirus, which can be found at www. mind.org.uk/information-support/coronavirus-and-your-wellbeing/
■ On its website, the Samaritans said: “Plans for staying at home and minimising direct contact with others will reduce social contact for many of us, and in some cases will mean we’re cut off from all contact for two weeks or longer for people who may be more vulnerable to the virus, such as older people. “You can talk to people, via video messaging, over the phone, texting or over the garden fence.
“Whilst we are physically isolated, it’s more important than ever for us to feel socially connected, so try and reach out to people to talk, and try to be there to listen to others.”
■ For confidential support on an emotional issue, call Samaritans on 116 123 at any time throughout the crisis.