Other things you can do to stop the infection spreading
Everyone should do what they can to stop coronavirus spreading.
It is particularly important for people who:
- are 70 or over
- have a long-term condition
- are pregnant
- have a weakened immune system
These free online courses have been developed for everyone in response to the global Coronavirus pandemic.
There is information about how to avoid catching/spreading the virus, what immediate feelings you may have and common reactions, managing your mental health at this time, managing isolation and social distancing, self-care, supporting children and young people and some accessible information.
Plus versions for children and young people.
The courses are free to access for everyone. Click on the above images to begin.
Music can help you change the way you feel. It can directly affect you mentally and physically in ways that can enhance your health and wellbeing.
From Mozart to Marvin Gaye, and from Metallica to Mongolian voices, our new Music for Wellbeing page lets you listen to playlists created to help lead you from one state of mind and body to another.
Click on the image to begin.
More resources
Easy Read information.
How are people who live with hearing voices and visions coping during the pandemic?
COVID-19: How can we support each other (and ourselves)? Psychosis: Psychological, Social and Integrative Approaches is an article written by Rai Waddingham of the Hearing Voices Network in the journal, Psychosis: Psychological, Social and Integrative Approaches. (The article is free to access).
How to make the most of Online Therapy Sessions:
Tips on managing worries about the coronavirus
The arrival and spread of a new virus (COVID-19), also known as Coronavirus, affecting the health of our population is a cause for concern for many of us.
This worry may impact on our mental health and our behaviour. Understanding our reactions and what we can do to live well through this time can help.
Immediate feelings
Our body’s automatic survival reactions will kick in and we may react in unexpected ways, e.g. feel helpless, feel angry, feel selfish, hide away, denial and disbelief, have intrusive scary thoughts of the future, feel protective of others, or make jokes about it.
Common reactions
- Watching news at every opportunity
- Hiding away from others
- Panic buying
- Talking and thinking about it a lot
- Handwashing
- Seek alternative cures
What can help in a crisis situation
Try to focus on the small necessary activities of daily living. Sleep and rest. Establish a routine. Eat well. Take a walk.
Stay connected to people in ways that are possible. Use social media and phone calls instead of face to face if you are in isolation. Share your worries if you want. If not, talk to people about everyday things.
Do things that you enjoy each day.
Organise things for your family and community so people know they can rely on others.
Follow government and world health organisation advice on avoiding spreading the virus, especially to vulnerable people, and in caring for yourself when ill.
How to support someone you know
Connect: The person may need time to be alone but keep trying to connect with them on social media and organise for them to have what they need.
Listen: to their worries but don’t fuel them.
Ask: don’t assume what they need. It might be different from what we think.
NHS and Government advice
Click here for NHS 111 service
The latest government guidance for if you need to stay at home can be found here:
Coronavirus-outbreak-FAQs: What you can and can't do.
Public Health England has published new online guidance setting out principles to follow to help people to manage their mental health
Advice and guidance in other languages Guidance on staying at home is available on the gov.uk website in the following languages: Arabic, Bengali, Cantonese, Mandarin, French, Gujarati, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi and Urdu.
Repeat prescriptions
If you are on long term medication and concerned about how self isolation will affect this, speak to your local pharmacy for advice.
Lloyds Pharmacy has a free nationwide prescription service. Find out more on their website.
Helpful links
NHS 111 Online - Find more information on Coronavirus, read answers to common questions about it and check your symptoms.
GOV UK - The latest information and guidance from the government.
British Red Cross - A collection of videos on mental health in emergencies.
'Coronavirus: How to protect your mental health' - A helpful guide from BBC News.
Looking after your mental health during the Coronavirus outbreak. - Mental Health Foundation
10 tips to help if you are worried about coronavirus - NHS Every Mind Matters.
Useful documents
The Coronavirus Story - an Easy Read flip book for people with learning disabilities or accessible information needs.
Hand Washing Tips for People With Sensory Difficulties
For suggestions of how to use your time if you need to be at home, download this Stay at home checklist.
