In lead up to World Mental health Day (Monday 10 October), Bradford District and Craven Health and Care Partnership have teamed up with a number of voluntary and community sector organisations in the district, to hold information stalls on how people can look after their mental wellbeing during these difficult times.
The stalls will take place week commencing 10 October and will provide information to people on how they can access support for their mental wellbeing as well as support with the cost of living.
The information stalls will be held at the following five locations:
- Monday 10 October, from 10.30am to 2.30pm, The Broadway, Bradford (near the old Debenhams), BD1 1JR
- Monday 10 October, from 10.30am to 2.30pm, Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (main hospital concourse), BD9 6RJ
- Wednesday 12 October, from 10.30am to 2.30pm, Keighley Market Hall (front entrance), Keighley, BD21 3PT
- Thursday 13 October, from 10.30am to 2.30pm, Airedale NHS Foundation Trust (top landing in Zone C), Keighley, BD20 6TD
- Friday 14 October, from 10.30am to 12.30pm, Airedale Shopping Centre (near Costa), Keighley, BD21 3QQ
Helen Davey, Chair of the Mental Health Provider Forum for Bradford District and Craven, said; “We know people are having to make some real tough choices between heating and eating amongst a number of other things, like staying on top of our bills and working out how to get through on a day-to-day basis. All of this will have an impact on our mental wellbeing.
“During these difficult times, individuals stress and anxiety is likely to increase, this can have a negative impact on our emotions and feelings and impact our general health. For some of us stress and anxiety can lead to depression and panic attacks. We’re encouraging people to access support early for their mental health, there are services which people can access locally as well as nationally.
“The Information stalls will provide you information on, how to look after your mental wellbeing and where to go for support, support with the cost of living, where to go for debt and housing support, and looking after your general health.
“We know it’s not going to be easy for some of us to ask for support but please make the first step and ask for help, whether it’s a service you access or by speaking to someone you trust. Keeping things bottled up can make you feel very lonely and cut off from everyone else, when there is support for you to access.”
Individuals can contact Guide-Line which provides confidential, emotional support 365 days a year by calling 08001 884 884 (12pm to 12am) or by using the live chat online at www.mindinbradford.org.uk/chat (12pm to 12am). Or, by visiting Healthy Minds website www.healthyminds.services to help with your emotional wellbeing.
For urgent mental health crisis support, please contact First Response on 0800 952 1181. This service offers support 24 hours a day, seven days a week to people of all ages living in Bradford, Airedale, Wharfedale and Craven. Anyone that is aged 7 and over can contact Safe Spaces which is a crisis service in the community, this service is available 365 days a year from 12pm to 2.30am. To access Safe Spaces, call First Response on 0800 952 1181 and ask for ‘Safe Spaces’.
Sue Anderson, Head of Media for StepChange Debt Charity, said: “These are extraordinary times for most of us, the cost of living crisis is impacting our finances on a day to day basis. A lot of us will be worried about our finances and how we get through this crisis.
“StepChange provides free and impartial debt advice, tailored to your personal circumstances. If you’re struggling with debt, please contact us, this can be done over the phone by calling 0800 138 1111 (Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm, and Saturday 8am to 4pm) or our online debt service www.stepchange.org which is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
“We know talking about debt and money problems can be difficult, however, talking to someone you trust or reaching out to a reputable debt advice organisation can bring a huge sense of relief, and be the most important step in getting your life and finances back on track. Our debt advisors will help you over the phone or online, we know this is not easy for people and you may feel ashamed or nervous when asking for help, but we can reassure you that there is a positive way forward.”