Local NHS talking therapies services Healthy Minds (Buckinghamshire) and TalkingSpace Plus (Oxfordshire) are ready to support people with their emotional wellbeing now as national mental health campaign reveals nearly half of adults say the coronavirus pandemic has negatively impacted their mental health.

The national poll, carried out at the start of the current restrictions, reveals the impact COVID-19 has had on adults’ mental wellbeing across the country. Of those surveyed, significant proportions of the population said they had been experiencing more anxiety (46%), stress (44%), sleep problems (34%) and low mood (46%) over the course of the pandemic.

However, at the same time three in five (60%) of those asked say they feel hopeful about the future. Many adults (75%) reported that they are planning to take or have taken steps to look after their mental wellbeing, with exercising regularly (32%) eating well (29%) and talking more to family and friends (28%) being the main actions reported in the survey by Public Health England.

National mental health campaign Every Mind Matters has launched a nationwide Better Health – Every Mind Matters campaign to equip adults with tips and advice to look after their mental health and wellbeing and help support others such as family and friends. Oxford Health clinical psychologist and head of the Oxford Centre for Psychological Health, Professor Paul Salkovskis was one of the clinical advisors developing the material.

The campaign encourages people to get a free NHS-approved Mind Plan from the Every Mind Matters website. By answering five simple questions, adults will get a personalised action plan with practical tips to help them deal with stress and anxiety, boost their mood, sleep better and feel more in control. Over 2.6 million Mind Plans have been created since launched in October 2019.

Dr John Pimm, Consultant Clinical Psychologist and Clinical Lead Bucks Healthy Minds said: “The past year has been incredibly difficult for many people, if you are struggling with feelings of stress, worry or low mood we would really like to hear from you.”

The Every Mind Matters COVID-19 hub also includes practical tips and support on how adults can deal with uncertainty, how to cope with money and job worries and how to look after both their own and their family’s mental wellbeing while staying at home.

For more tips and support, search Every Mind Matters.

You can telephone or visit the website for your local NHS talking therapies services now for help with emotional wellbeing.

For TalkingSpace Plus in Oxfordshire call 01865 901222 or visit the website https://www.oxfordhealth.nhs.uk/talkingspaceplus/

For Healthy Minds in Buckinghamshire call 01865 901600 or visit the website https://www.oxfordhealth.nhs.uk/healthyminds/

Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Mental Health Helpline is also available to offer advice for adults, children and young people via NHS 111.