Mind, is a mental health charity, providing advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. They campaign to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding. Their mission is to offer support and respect to everyone experiencing mental health problems. The organisation also has an online mental health community Elefriends. A safe space where anyone aged 18 and over with experience of a mental health problem can share their story, connect with others, access Mind’s more extensive information, resources and give support in return. Find out more at mind.org.uk/community.

Voir has spoken to Stephen Buckley, head of information at Mind, to shed some light on the situation and how we can cope with life after the lockdown.

We spoke to Stephen on the cause of rise in stress and anxiety in returning to the workplace, and how to remedy this. He acknowledges that ‘change and uncertainty are difficult for most of us to deal especially now when we don’t know what the future looks like. He continues to state that “The coronavirus outbreak will have a long-term impact on our economy – we’re likely to see another recession as the nation attempts to get back on its feet. We know there is a strong link between issues like debt, unemployment and poor housing to poor mental health. So, it stands to reason that factors like job insecurity, unemployment, low paid work and redundancy could have a knock-on impact on mental health.” Stephen also emphasises on the efforts of the organisation to campaign on issues like housing and benefits as these kinds of factors, disproportionately affect people who have existing mental health problems.

If you’re really feeling stressed, Stephen recommends many yoga and meditation. You can find many yoga and meditation classes centred on anxiety and stress online and look to incorporate these practices in your daily life. Here are a couple of YouTube videos of meditation and yoga to ease anxiety and stress.

Meditation for Anxiety by Yoga With Adriene

Meditation for Inner Peace by Yoga With Adriene

The best way to keep your anxiety in check according to Stephen, especially regarding this crisis is to stay well informed. Seek only reliable information and not rumours to keep you updated. Also, avoid dwelling on the issue his advice is that we should take a break from it and only check when necessary.

Another trick that helps is to focus on the positive What has been beneficial for you during this lockdown. Have you finally watched that Netflix show you didn’t have time for? if you haven’t here is Voir’s top picks of Netflix shows to watch. What about that book you have always wanted to read?

Voir’s Recommends;

1). https://www.voirfashion.co.uk/post/a-netflix-guide-to-quarantine-chill

2). https://www.voirfashion.co.uk/post/8-books-to-read-before-watching-the-movie-version

Also, focus on what you look forward to once we are outside, be it dinners at restaurants, the hair appointment you plan to make as soon as they will let you or even getting to see your friends in person and not through a screen.

Feeling worried is normal from time to time, but if it starts to impact your day-to-day life, Mind encourages you to speak to someone you trust and contact your GP (many can do a consultation over the phone or by video).

You can also head to these pages on the Mind website for more information:

1). www.mind.org.uk/coronavirus

2). www.mind.org.uk/stress

3). www.mind.org.uk/anxiety

Mind has confidential information and support line:

• Mind Infoline- 0300 123 3393 (lines open 9am – 6pm, Monday – Friday)

• Contact Mind’s Media Team for interviews or further information on 0208 522 1743.

• For out of hours support, call 07850 788 514 or email media@mind.org.uk.

We need your help to support people with mental health problems right now. To donate to Mind’s emergency appeal, visit www.mind.org.uk/donate

To access a range of free images to accompany mental health news stories, visit:

time-to-change.org.uk/getthepicture

These images have been developed by Time to Change, a campaign to change how we all think and act about mental health problems. Time to Change is led by the charities Mind and Rethink Mental Illness, and funded by the Department of Health, Comic Relief and the Big Lottery Fund.

Words by Camila Karalyte

Graphics by Georgia Walters

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