How to help your mental health during winter and lockdown

Talking Therapies helped Rhys Harrison and the trust which runs the service is helping others during lockdown. Catherine Scott reports.
People are being urged to get help with their mental health during lockdownPeople are being urged to get help with their mental health during lockdown
People are being urged to get help with their mental health during lockdown

Rhys Harrison, 59, was overwhelmed by thoughts of suicide in 2018, following a trigger event that brought back memories of his mother’s traumatic death from a bleed on the brain two years previously.

Already aware of the York and Selby Improving Access to Psychological Therapies service, also known as Talking Therapies, Rhys self-referred himself and started his treatment with an in-depth assessment with a consultant.

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Talking Therapies can help with common mental health problems such as stress, anxiety and depression. It’s open to anyone aged 16 or over, who is registered with a GP practice in York and Selby, and who is experiencing mild to moderate symptoms of anxiety or depression.

Rhys Harrison was helped by Talking Therapies when he felt suicidalRhys Harrison was helped by Talking Therapies when he felt suicidal
Rhys Harrison was helped by Talking Therapies when he felt suicidal

Treatments and therapies vary according to individual needs but may include face-to-face virtual wellbeing sessions or computerised cognitive behavioural therapy.

Rhys said: “I was assigned a community psychiatric nurse, who was brilliant. I had support from her for nine months – initially once a week, then as my situation improved, we would meet fortnightly, and towards the end, we met once every four weeks. She developed a crisis recovery plan specific to me – my triggers, what works, what is unhelpful, and who to turn to if I feel I am entering a mental health crisis.

“Eventually I was able to write my own crisis plan that she reviewed, walked through with me, and approved. To this day, when my depression deepens, I refer to my crisis plan, and know when I need to contact my GP for support.”

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Rhys is now part of the Community Time to Change York Champions Group that campaigns to end mental health stigma and discrimination in York.

“It is so important to realise there is mental health support available locally, when you are overwhelmed by depression or thoughts of suicide, don’t be deterred by stigma or discrimination, speak to your GP. Take care, look after your mental health and stay safe.”

Improving Access to Psychological Therapies is provided by Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust. The trust recognises that the combination of dark winter nights and a national lockdown is impacting people’s mental health and resilience, with many people experiencing feelings of anxiety or depression for the first time.

TOP TIPS

Keep to a routine

Stay active

Have family time

Make the most of natural light

Do something you enjoy

Improve your environment

Take time for self-care

Keep in contact

Eat well

Try something new

For more ideas on how to support your emotional wellbeing and local support available visit www.livewellyork.co.uk/feelrealyork

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