MyLahore’s flagship restaurant, based at Great Horton Road, is urging businesses across the district to provide information to their customers on how to access mental health support locally, as the cost of living takes a toll on people’s mental health.
The restaurant is working with Healthy Minds, a website for people living in Bradford District and Craven to look after their minds, by providing mental health support information on their food donations (hot meals), which are distributed weekly.
Local businesses who want to provide mental health support information (including cost of living), can either request for stickers or a double sided A5 flyer by emailing hello@healthyminds.services
Ishfaq Farooq, Director for MyLahore, said: “To put into context how the cost of living is affecting our local communities, we have primary schools contacting MyLahore to provide hot meals for their pupils. Pupils that are provided with a hot meal are unable to afford their school lunch or don’t have a hot meal during the day. This can have a negative impact on the child’s emotions and feelings because they know their family is having to make tough choices.
“By providing mental health support information alongside our hot meals, we’re hoping it encourages people to access support locally to help with their mental health.
“The cost of living is taking a toll on people’s mental health. A recent article by the Guardian included information from the Money and Mental Health Policy Institute charity, which found 17% of respondents to a survey had said they had experienced suicide thoughts over the past nine months due to the rising cost of living*. We don’t want people to get to this stage, it’s important that you seek help as soon as possible.”
Iain MacBeath, Strategic Director for Health and Wellbeing at Bradford Council and Director of Integration for Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We’re urging local businesses to come forward and request for this mental health support information which they can share with their customers, by emailing hello@healthyminds.services and requesting for the stickers or the A5 flyers.
“These are tough times for people, we’re having to decide whether to have our heating on or putting food on the table and to keep on top of our bills. All of this is likely to increase our anxiety and stress levels, which can lead to depression and panic attacks which can affect your physical health. Depression can come with headaches, fatigue and digestive problems, and anxiety can create an upset stomach. Some of the other symptoms can include insomnia, restlessness and difficulty concentrating.
“It’s not always easy to ask for support by my plea to local people is to ask for help, you’re not alone.”
Individuals can contact Guide-Line which provides confidential, emotional support 365 days a year by calling 08001 884 884 (8am to 12am) or by using the live chat online at www.mindinbradford.org.uk/chat (8am to 12am). Or, by visiting Healthy Minds website https://www.healthyminds.services/winter-wellbeing it includes information on winter wellbeing, as well as cost of living.
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’.
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Notes to editors
Healthy Minds website
The website is run by Bradford District and Craven Health and Care Partnership and Mind in Bradford.
The Guardian article: Martin Lewis charity highlights mental toll of cost of living crisis
Survey finds nearly a fifth of respondents have had suicidal ideation about financial problems. Continue reading the article
Mental Health Foundation: Physical health and mental health
Physical health problems significantly increase our risk of developing mental health problems, and vice versa. Continue reading the article