TOMORROW (Saturday) is World Mental Health Day – and Warrington Borough Council says Covid-19 serves as a reminder to residents that they need to take care of their mental wellbeing.
The pandemic has also highlighted the importance of supporting the mental wellbeing of families, friends, colleagues and neighbours.
Theme of the day “mental health for all”, which reflects and emphasises the importance of mental health in everyone’s lives.
The council says it is important to:
• Make time to look after your own mental wellbeing and to support others to look after theirs
• Support family, friends and colleagues who may have mental health problems
• Ask for support ourselves if coronavirus, or other issues, are affecting our mental wellbeing.
On Warrington’s mental health awareness website happyoksad.org.uk there tips on how to look after your mental wellbeing, as well as directories of local and national mental health support services. The site includes information on how coronavirus might impact on your mental wellbeing, with links to self-help strategies to enable you to manage. There are also tips and suggestions for taking care of your mental wellbeing if you have been working throughout the pandemic.
Cllr Maureen McLaughlin, the council’s lead member for public health and wellbeing said: “Our mental health doesn’t just impact how we feel. It can affect all different aspects of our lives, including our relationships, physical health and performance at work.
“If you find that you’re experiencing poor mental health, or you’re concerned about a loved one, there are lots of free services and resources that are available to everyone. It’s important to reach out if you need help and take the time to invest in your mental wellbeing, in whatever way works for you.”
If you need urgent support and live in Warrington, Halton, St Helens or Knowsley, you can call freephone 0800 051 1508 – 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
For more information about World Mental Health Day, visit wmhd2020.com
