Duchess dials into home working
The Duchess of Cambridge has joined the ranks of home workers to make telephone calls to her patronages, as has her husband. Yesterday the couple said ‘the last few weeks have been anxious and unsettling for everyone’ and urged the public to ‘take time to support each other’
THE Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have urged the British people to “take time to support each other” to combat a potential mental health crisis, as they say the last few weeks of the coronavirus outbreak have been “anxious and unsettling” for all.
The Duke and Duchess, who have been making telephone calls to their patronages from home, said taking simple steps would ensure “we can all be better prepared for the times ahead”.
Speaking as Public Health England launched new guidance to cope with social distancing and self-isolation, and the Government announced a £5million grant for mental health charities to be administered by Mind, the Cambridges hailed the power of people looking out for one another.
“The last few weeks have been anxious and unsettling for everyone,” the Duke and Duchess said in a statement.
“We have to take time to support each other and find ways to look after our mental health. It is great to see the mental health sector working together with the NHS to help people keep on top of their mental well-being.
“By pulling together and taking simple steps each day, we can all be better prepared for the times ahead.”
It is understood that the mental health sector initially coped well due to a focus on immediate practical concerns such as shopping for food and making arrangements for work, but more people are expected to struggle as lockdown continues.
Public Health England has published online guidance “in recognition of the unprecedented challenges which the outbreak and extended periods of selfisolation can pose” at gov.uk, recommending people maintain contact as much as possible via phone and video calls, keep a regular daily routine and focus on hobbies or learning something new.
It suggests using the Every Mind Matters online platform. The full guidance has been developed in partnership with charities, and includes further steps for those living with serious mental health problems.
Claire Murdoch, NHS mental health director, said: “The NHS is stepping up to offer people help when and how they need it, including by phone, facetime, Skype or digitally enabled therapy packages and we also have accelerated plans for crisis response service 24/7.
“NHS mental health services will be there through what is undoubtedly one of the greatest healthcare challenges the NHS has ever faced.”