Mental health awareness week is 18-24th May this year and the theme is Kindness. This week Futureworks will be raising awareness of Mental Health.
Today's post will be focusing on Loneliness and Kindness. These posts are to raise awareness about mental health and for you to gain an understanding of what you or others may be going through.
If you have any questions about these posts or would like to talk to somebody about your own mental health please contact: support@futureworks.ac.uk
One of the feelings millions of us are experiencing during the current coronavirus pandemic is loneliness. In our combined efforts to stay safe and save lives, our usual ways of seeing family, friends or just familiar faces have been put on pause.
How lonely are UK adults feeling?
According to a survey of UK adults which took place during lockdown (2 – 3 April), one in four (24%) said they had feelings of loneliness in the “previous two weeks”. When the same question was asked shortly before lockdown, just one in ten people (10%) said they had these feelings. In a matter of weeks, social distancing left millions more people in the UK feeling isolated.
Young people aged 18 to 24 were most likely to experience loneliness since the lockdown began. Before lockdown, one in six (16%) said they felt lonely. Since lockdown, young people are almost three times more likely to have experienced loneliness, with almost half (44%) feeling this way.
How does loneliness affect our mental health?
Many of us feel lonely from time to time and these short-term feelings shouldn’t harm our mental health. However, the longer the pandemic goes on for, the more these feelings become long-term.
Long-term loneliness is associated with an increased risk of certain mental health problems, including depression, anxiety and increased stress. The impact of long-term loneliness on mental health can be very hard to manage.
Living with the pandemic if you already have a mental health problemKindness Stories
Why does kindness matter? -
How kindness helped Mia
Why does kindness matter later in life?
The Benefits of Kindness
- Makes us happier
- Gives us healthier hearts
- Slows the age process
- Makes for better relationships
- It’s contagious – in a good way
- Reduces stress and anxiety
- Helps with depression
Helping others who might be experiencing loneliness
Three in four of the overall population, and about half of the younger population, have not been experiencing loneliness during lockdown according to the survey.* This shows great resilience during this time of isolation and shows that many of us are adapting our ways of keeping in contact with people. Doing good is good for our mental health, so now could a good opportunity to help someone else who might be feeling lonely.
One idea is to get in touch with someone who lives alone or might not have many relatives or close connections to check in on them. A message or a phone call could make a big difference to someone who hasn’t heard from anyone in a while.
If it’s a neighbour, you could even share something you’ve baked with them - at a safe distance! If you know someone who struggles with technology, now could be a good time to talk them through setting up something like Skype or Zoom at home. This could make a huge difference to their social interactions in future.
It's not just you
Remember, no one is exempt from feeling lonely at times. All of us, at some point or other during this coronavirus pandemic, will feel cut off from our loved ones. However, some of us will have greater access to technology than others, or more social connections.
By caring for each other, checking in on people who are more isolated, or even volunteering for a helpline, we can help prevent a loneliness epidemic.
So where do random acts of kindness come in?
One thing that we have seen all over the world is that kindness is prevailing in uncertain times. People are coming together to sing on balconies in Italy, clap for the NHS, others are setting up groups to offer support to the elderly or vulnerable - like collecting shopping or calling them for a chat. We have heard stories of people having virtual movie nights or quiz nights and creating choreographed dances over video chat to share with the world.
So what can you do?
Apps:
Stay Alive: Health and fitness App - free
The Stay Alive app is a suicide prevention resource for the UK. It has useful information and tools to help you stay safe in crisis. You can use it if you are having thoughts of suicide. Orif you are concerned about someone else who may be considering suicide.
Website: www.preventsuicide.org.uk/stay_alive_suicide_prevention_mobile_phone_application.html
Headspace
Headspace is designed to help you to manage your mental health. You can access the app for free, you will have access to basic packages. You will have to pay a subscription to access more content.
E-mail: help@headspace.com
Website: www.headspace.com
Smiling Mind
Free meditation app.
Website: www.smilingmind.com.au
Who to Contact?
If you have seriously harmed yourself, or you don’t feel that you can keep yourself safe right now seek immediate help by calling 999, or going straight to A&E.
- Youth Access - Advice & Counselling
- Mindline Trans+ 0300 330 5468 Free, confidential listening service for people identifying as trans or non-binary, and their friends and families.
- Young Minds Crisis Messenger provides free 24/7 crisis support. Text YM to 85258
- Samaritans - Call free on 116 123 (24 hours a day)
- Childline - If you are under 19 you can confidentially call, email or talk online about any problem you may be having
Helpline: 0800 1111 - The Mix - If you are under 25 you can contact them free via phone, online chat or email
Helpline: 0808 808 4994 (1pm-11pm daily) - 42nd Street - 0161 228 732. They provide online support and they also do referrals. On their website, it states “if you are struggling with your mental health and would like to speak with a mental health practitioner call us Monday – Friday 9.30-5 and ask to speak to a duty practitioner on 0161 228 7321.
- CALM - (Campaign Against Living Miserably) 0800 58 58 58 (5pm-midnight 365 days a year) or online webchat
- Shout - Text SHOUT to 85258 (24 hour text service)
- SANE emotional support, guidance and information to anyone affected by mental illness, including families, friends and carers.
0300 304 7000 (Helpline open 4.30pm-10.30pm). - Depression UK
In crisis? Call 999 if you are in serious distress or in danger of harming yourself or others. Alternatively:
- Go to A&E at your local hospital. The nearest to Futureworks is Manchester Royal Infirmary (0161 276 4147)
- Call 999 if you are in a life threatening situation or you are worried about someone taking their own life
- Contact your GP / 111
- Call Samaritans 116 123 (free to call, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year)
- See below for other contact details that maybe beneficial for you, family or friends.
24/7 mental health helpline for Greater Manchester: 01204 4830
New 24/7 mental health for carers and service users who are currently engaged with the GMMH service - Greater Manchester: 01204 483 071
New 24/7 mental health crisis line for people of all ages in Halton, Knowsley, St Helens & Warrington: 01925 275 309
New 24/7 crisis line for people of all ages in Wigan: 01942 636 395
What other services are local to me?