World Mental Health Day: Support available in Greater Manchester
For World Mental Health Day this year, it focuses on ‘mental health for all’. Marked in our calendars as Saturday 10th October, it’s an opportunity to recognise how mental illnesses affect one another and to understand the implications of poor mental health – both in our professional and personal lives.
Recent statistics from the ONS* shows that two-thirds of adults in the UK (69%) are feeling somewhat or very worried about the effect COVID-19 is having on their life. As work might be providing the only sense of normality for many people at the moment, it’s become vital for everyone to recognise the impacts that mental health can have. And, even more crucially, for those who are facing uncertainty with employment, it’s about ensuring they are feeling supported too.
James Burke, a business coach from ActionCOACH Manchester, tackled his own mental health demons and knows all too well how it can consume your life. “I’ve fought through a severe case of depression after becoming homeless, so I understand just how difficult it is to see the light. Luckily, in Manchester, there are many resources for people to turn to – whether it’s for yourself, a family member or employee.
“Business owners have a role to play to ensure the wellbeing of their teams and this has been raised on many of my coaching sessions since lockdown began in March. My main advice for them is to:
- Encourage communication throughout the whole team and lead by example by expressing how you feel
- Spot opportunities for improvement or growth – praise goes a long way for someone’s self-esteem
- Promote the importance of personal planning and self-care
- And provide access to available support.”
Here, James lists five resources in Greater Manchester that provide support for mental health issues.
• Health Watch Manchester. This is a resource that provides advice and guidance to those who might be struggling during this time. It has numbers for confidential helplines with all aspects of health, not just mental health.
• Manchester Mind. This support group has been delivering services in the city since 1989 and are available to encourage better mental health for everyone in Manchester. They offer advice for adults, young people and children with training and learning, peer support and general advice.
• Rethink Mental Illness Manchester Group. This is a support group for people affected by severe mental illness to come together and share information. Every week, they meet via online video to keep the conversation going and ensure people are being helped.
• LearnBOX. With their STEPS programme, they are tackling mental health, specifically suicide, across the city. They are working towards removing the stigma behind mental health and highlighting how this, plus education, is the key to saving lives. It’s developed and ran by suicide survivors.
• Andy’s Man Club. A group created specifically for men that breaks down the barriers of communicating about our feelings. They host weekly online sessions, which will be held in person once restrictions allow in-person sessions to resume.
James adds: “Mental health is an important part of our general wellbeing, but this year is unlike any other. Isolation, lockdowns and uncertainty all cause unrest and anxiety, meaning people are more prone to developing problems. By knowing what’s available to you and reaching out for help, the issues become much more manageable. After all, a problem shared is a problem halved.”
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For more information, or to speak with James directly, please contact Liam on 07395 641 523 or liam@revpr.co.uk
* Office National Statistics: Coronavirus and the social impacts on Great Britain; 5th June 2020.