Charity quickly adapts to continue providing help
Many people are struggling with their mental health during the coronavirus crisis and West Sussex Mind remains available to offer support. The mental health charity, which is based in Worthing, has quickly adapted to offer help via online video calls, phone conversations and video group sessions for people who want help with how they are feeling at this difficult time. The charity works in Worthing, Shoreham, Littlehampton, Bognor Regis, Chanctonbury, Chichester and Midhurst, and has recently expanded its services to offer one-to-one sessions and video group calls in the evenings. Katie Glover, chief executive, said: “In these exceptional circumstances, worrying and feeling anxious is normal. “But some people will be struggling in a more significant way, where anxiety or feeling worried or other mental health difficulties are really impacting on their life and ability to cope.” Things to look out for include very disturbed sleep, difficulty eating or concentrating and not being able to do normal day-to-day things which you usually enjoy and would normally help you cope with life. To get help from West Sussex Mind, email info@ westsussexmind.org and preferably give your phone number, then someone will call you back. You may be offered an initial one-to-one phone or video call session with a mental health recovery worker. You could then join some of the online video groups which include a women’s group, men’s group, tips on coping with isolation, mindful breathing, social chat, quizzes, workshops on food and mood, music and mood, choir, art groups and poetry. One resident, Elizabeth, praised the help she had received from the service. She said: “I have been amazed at the support they were able to offer. “I was given lots of helpful suggestions. “If you are suffering at home in isolation with increased mental health issues, I can recommend you contact West Sussex Mind for I believe you will not regret doing so.” The charity expects the numbers of people seeking support to rise. Issues being faced at this very difficult time include anxiety, increased stress levels, depression, increased risk of suicide. Those who work on the frontline, such as doctors and nurses, may be facing extreme stress or post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Other reasons people could find themselves needing support include financial difficulties due to the crisis, struggles with isolation, strained relationships where people are confined together, bereavement, especially when it has not been possible to hold a normal funeral or visit a loved one in hospital. People who already have mental health problems may find the challenging situation making them feel worse, or young people struggling with university, college or school work alone at home. At the same time, West Sussex Mind faces a drop in income from its own events and fundraising activities. Though affiliated to national Mind, the local charity is separate and relies on donations and fundraising for much of its work. Ms Glover said: “We urgently need your help. “Please make a donation so we can continue our important work, supporting people with mental health needs in this unprecedented time. “We’re a charity and we couldn’t continue our work without your help. Thank you.” Visit www.westsussexmind. org for more information and to make a donation.