Network Rail offers Hope against mental health issues
RESEARCH by Network Rail and mental health charity Chasing the Stigma has highlighted that 48% of adults across Britain are experiencing mental health issues.
It also found that 69% of those aged 18-24 say their mental health has been negatively affected by the pandemic.
The research was conducted ahead of NR launching its ‘There is Always Hope’ campaign with the charity, to encourage those struggling with mental health issues to seek help before they reach crisis point.
“We have a huge responsibility to keep people safe and support the wellbeing of both our staff and passengers,” said NR Chief Executive Andrew Haines.
“Through this campaign, we are trying to help vulnerable people who are at risk before they even come to the rail network, by signposting them towards support services through the Hub of Hope.”
Since April 1 2020, there have been 1,487 interventions by rail staff, members of the public and British Transport Police officers across the rail network.
The There Is Always Hope campaign offers advice to download the Hub of Hope app if people believe they are struggling with their mental health.
Provided by Chasing the Stigma, the app brings together all the support available to someone in a given area, including NHS support and national charities such as MIND and Samaritans.
NR and Chasing the Stigma have also created a new film portraying a young man looking distressed and withdrawn, who finds himself surrounded by positive moments of hope as he walks through a station. Eventually he begins chatting with a fellow passenger and they continue their conversation on their journey.
The aim of the film is to show that no matter how desperate you feel, there are people around you who care and that there is always hope.
Chasing the Stigma CEO and founder Jake Mills is featured in the film. He set up the charity and developed the app following his own suicide attempt and said that often people do not know where to turn to for help.
“Mental health has never been more important, especially as the results show the pandemic is having a real impact on people, particularly young adults, across the UK,” he said.
“Breaking down the stigma around mental health, and giving people access to the right support at the right time, is essential as it can make such a difference. It’s the reason why we set up the Hub of Hope. These are challenging times but help and support is available and there is always someone to talk to.”
According to the study of more than 2,000 adults by research agency Yonder, respondents reported increases in anxiety (40%), loneliness (31%) and depression (31%).
It also found that 64% of students claimed the pandemic was affecting their mental health, along with 65% of those who identify as being LGBT+.
Research also found that 58% people claim they now know where to go for mental health support, that 40% say they have saved money due to the pandemic, and that 26% have been able to spend more time with their loved ones. Just under half of those surveyed said they felt hopeful for the future due to the vaccine rollout. @Richard_rail
To download the app, visit www.hubofhope.co.uk