COVID-19 Rebuilding Services – Mental Health

There has never been a more important time to consider your mental and emotional wellbeing.

It is important to remember that mental health services are continuing to operate at this time and if you are concerned about your physical or emotional wellbeing you should contact your GP.

For a list of useful resources please visit our page hosting useful mental and Emotional wellbeing resources.

The 10,000 More Voices Initiative is seeking stories from people who have engaged with Mental Health Services during the Covid-19 pandemic. Patients, clients and families have had to adapt to new ways of connecting with Health and Care Services. By sharing your story, you can help to shape mental health services in the future.
The survey can be accessed via the website – www.10000morevoices.hscni.net A printed easy read version can be requested by telephoning 028 9536 2868 or email 10000morevoices@hscni.net
All data collected with be treated anonymously and not shared.

Everyone’s mental health and emotional wellbeing remains a key priority for Health and Social Care (HSC) and our partners in the community, voluntary and independent sector during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.

Health and Social Care (HSC) mental health services remain safe and accessible for anyone who needs them across all HSC Trusts in Northern Ireland.

The Department of Health in May 2020 published its Mental Health Action Plan as part of his commitment to improve the mental health of the population in Northern Ireland. The Action Plan contains 38 actions, including a commitment to produce a mental health strategy, which will include a comprehensive funding plan for mental health. There is also a plan on dealing with the continued response to the Covid-19 crisis. You can access the Mental Health Action Plan on the DoH website.

Within Mental Health Services, including addiction services and psychological therapies, planning continues to consider both the safest and most effective ways to deliver these critical services as the Covid-19 pandemic remains in the community and building on emerging innovative approaches.

The process for increasing mental health services over the coming months will be guided by the need to:

Ensure services continue to be delivered to those people with severe mental ill health and complex needs whilst adhering to government guidance on appropriate prevention and infection control measures during the ongoing pandemic.
Prioritise services for those with severe mental illness and complex needs whose mental health has been impacted by the COVID 19 pandemic.
Plan for a future return to normal services making the most of service developments and innovative ways of working.

In particular, consideration is being given to how to meet the challenge of the likely increase in demand for mental health services linked to COVID-19 and recognising that very significant capacity challenges were faced by mental health services before the onset of COVID-19.

If you are concerned about your mental health or someone you know is in crisis, contact your GP. The Lifeline 24hr counselling service is available at 0808 808 8000. If you are in immediate danger always call 999.

A range of mental health and emotional wellbeing resources are also available at www.mindingyourhead.info including a range of health and care apps and free stress control classes.

VIDEOS: Health and Care professionals stress the importance of looking after your mental health and emotional wellbeing, during COVID-19.