Top tips on mental health – and the support available

When it comes to looking after our mental health during the pandemic, these were Dr Edmonds’ top tips for members of the public:

Make a routine. “One that makes sure you are getting up and going to bed at the same time every day, includes some exercise, good nutrition, good sleep hygiene, and making sure that we stay connected to our friends and families and our community, through all the usual channels and all the new channels like zoom and skype,” she said.

Stay informed. Make sure you know what the latest Government guidelines are.

Dr Edmonds said: “For a lot of people, that helps them plan how they’re going to act.” However she added: “For some people, getting overwhelmed with too much information is not helpful and can increase anxiety.” These people should try to limit the amount of news they see each day.

Do something you enjoy every day. Dr Edmonds said it was beneficial for people to have ‘something they can achieve and within their control’. It could be taking time to sit outside in peace with a coffee in the morning, learning something new or picking up an old hobby again.

Practice some relaxation or meditation. Dr Edmonds said they were ‘lots of fantastic apps’ to help people relax or meditate or exercise. But she also said people should draw on whatever techniques they usually use to help them unwind. She said: “I sometimes think people have their own ways of relaxing. The things they know that work for them.”

Look after your physical health – which is especially important if you have preexisting health conditions.

Avoid an over-reliance on alcohol or other recreational

drugs. Dr Edmonds said there was evidence that some people were drinking more than usual, and concern that some were drinking ‘significantly more’.

People who find themselves drinking more because of being in a low mood should consider calling the mental health helpline to talk through the underlying issues.

■ Respect others in your household. Dr Edmonds said many people were spending more time with their families, often together in a small space. It was important to spend quality time together, but also quality time apart, and to respect people’s dependence and independence, she added.

Support is available for those who are struggling with their mental health.

Here is where to find help:

■ The Sussex Mental Healthline, run by the Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust is, is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, offering crisis mental health information and support for service users, family members, friends, carers and staff – call 0300 5000 101.

■ The Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust has lots of useful information on its website. For more advice on how to look after your mental health during the pandemic, visit www.sussexpartnership. nhs.uk/coronavirus-covid19-and-your-mental-health The website also has specific tips and advice for family, friend and staff carers during coronavirus, which can be found here: www. sussexpartnership.nhs. uk/advice-family-friendand-staff-carers-duringcoronavirus-covid-19. For advice for people with a learning disability, visit www.sussexpartnership. nhs.uk/coronavirus-covid19-information-peoplelearning-disability – and for more guidance for people with autism, visit www. sussexpartnership.nhs.uk/ node/6343

■ The NHS’s Every Mind Matters website is full of mental health help and advice, and it has also published ten tips to help you if you’re worried about coronavirus. Find it at www.nhs.uk/ oneyou/every-mind-matters/

■ You can also contact The Samaritans for confidential support on 116 123. Visit The Samaritans website at www. samaritans.org/how-we-canhelp/contact-samaritan