Mental health and wellbeing guide sent to 1.3 million North East households to help people during crisis

More than 1.3 million households across the region will receive a mental health and wellbeing guide to help those struggling during the coronavirus crisis.
The mental health guideThe mental health guide
The mental health guide

By working in collaboration with regional partners, the North East and North Cumbria Suicide Prevention Network has developed a booklet – endorsed by the region’s mental-health trust, Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear (CNTW) NHS Foundation Trust – to provide information and support for people who may be struggling to cope with changing circumstances and social isolation.

It comes as part of a campaign during Mental Health Awareness Week, which runs from now until Sunday, May 24, with the network aiming to do everything possible to stop people losing friends and family to suicide, by increasing awareness, reducing the stigma associated with self-harm and suicide, and promoting good mental health and wellbeing for everyone.

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A new website – www.stopsuicidenenc.org – has access to a wealth of professional resources to help people working in services and the wider community.

But as it is vital that key advice and information is easily accessible to the most vulnerable and those who may not have online access, the suicide prevention network has therefore commissioned Every Life Matters Cumbria, a suicide prevention charity, to produce the booklet.

Katherine McGleenan, the suicide prevention lead for North East and North Cumbria, said: “I have worked as a mental health nurse for over 30 years and have seen the devastating impact poor mental health can have on people’s lives.

“I have also seen how, with the right support, people can become mentally well again, even in difficult circumstances. We want people to know there is support available and to know how to access help if needed, and that they don’t need to cope alone.”

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John Lawlor, chief executive of CNTW NHS trust, added: “It is essential we make easily accessible information available to people who may be finding social isolation difficult.

“I am confident the Every Life Matters booklet will be a valuable tool for many people needing support to stay mentally safe and well, during the current circumstances and beyond.

“It will enable and encourage individuals, families, friends, and local communities to take care of themselves, and look out for each other.”