Anxiety workshops and new telephone line launched by MIND in Northampton

To mark Mental Health Awareness Week, Northampton and District MIND have launched online workshops – which start from Wednesday (May 20) - to help people suffering from anxiety during the pandemic.

The charity says the unprecedented turn of events has caused panic even among those who have never suffered with their mental health before and staff are making hundreds of check-up phone calls each week.

Paul Marshall, local service manager for Northampton MIND, said: "We are phoning over 300 people every single week and the staff are working really hard behind the scenes.

"I think the most phone calls we are getting are about anxiety and we have decided to focus on that first. People are lonely, I'm surprised at how many people are on their own.

"People are still phoning up to say 'the Government have said this and that and the press have said this and that' - you can't spend your time online everyday."

The anxiety workshops will be held over four weeks and will be hosted on Zoom every Wednesday between 1pm and 2pm.

The video chat group calls will include themes around exercise, triggers, nature and breathing techniques.

A new telephone line has also been launched this week for people suffering from a breadth of mental health issues who need to access help.

This service can be accessed from Monday to Friday, between 11am to 1pm and between 3pm to - 5pm where the number to call is 01604 312116.

Paul added: "We are calling it 'Let's Get Talking' due to these bizarre circumstances.

"We have set up phone line support for people to phone in MIND and we can support them as best we can and that can be for anything.

"We are here to help as many people as we can and if we can't help we can support them by signposting them to a different service.

"Sometimes, it's just about talking, isn't it? Loneliness is one of the biggest things."

The increased number of calls for help come at a time when their fundraising campaigns have been halted or suspended.

Interim CEO Jo Gratrick added: “I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all those individuals and businesses which are still supporting us through fundraising and help – it is very much appreciated and we welcome all offers of help, which will allow us to continue to support those in our communities.

"It is with that in mind, we are maintaining telephone and online support to existing clients we work with.

"We are also developing new ‘remote’ services, which people in the community can access from where ever they are, both during these worrying times and beyond, when we hope normality is resumed."

You can find details of advice and services at www.northamptonmind.org.uk