Greater Manchester has launched a city-region-wide set of initiatives to support the mental health of residents during the coronavirus outbreak struggling with social isolation or existing mental health issues.
A suite of digital and online support services have been launched for children and adults in Greater Manchester with existing mental health conditions, and those struggling because of social distancing restrictions, reducing the need to access GP surgeries and other services.
Mental health services in Greater Manchester are seeing increased pressure during the outbreak due to new cases related to loneliness and isolation, as well as reduced staffing levels.
Services being launched include:
- SHOUT – a confidential 24/7 text service for people aged 16+, operated by trained crisis volunteers who will chat using text responses. Advice is available for anyone struggling with a host of issues, including: anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, abuse or assault, self-harm, bullying or relationship issues. The service is overseen by clinical supervisors. Residents in Stockport can access the service by texting GMStockport to 85258.
- ChatHealth – a secure and confidential text messaging service for children and young people which allows patients to easily and anonymously get in touch with a healthcare professional for advice and support. This will be launched soon.
- Kooth – an online counselling and emotional wellbeing platform for children and young people. Currently limited to Bolton, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Trafford and Wigan, and will be extended to Bury, Salford, Stockport and Tameside by May 2020.
- BlueIce – an evidence-based app to help young people manage their emotions and reduce urges to self-harm. This app has launched and is available from a clinician working in CAMHS (child and adolescent mental health services).
- SilverCloud – an online therapy programme for people aged 16+ proven to help with stress, anxiety, low-mood and depression which launches Tue 7 April.
Health Innovation Manchester is also working to identify digital options to support residents in vulnerable groups, including care leavers, those with special educational needs, and individuals with eating disorders.
The Greater Manchester Bereavement Service will be available to talk about loss, and direct callers to other support services. The Greater Manchester Resilience Hub, originally set up following the 2017 Manchester Arena attack, will support teams working with frontline key workers in the NHS during the Covid-19 crisis.
Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, said:
This is a difficult time for everyone at the moment, but we will all get through it together. It’s important to look after your own health and wellbeing and take time to look out for the mental health of others. I’m conscious that lots of people need support to look after their mental health and as we enter weeks four, five, six and beyond of this coronavirus crisis and the limitations placed on our day-to-day lives, it’s going to become even more difficult for some people.
“We need to act together to combat social isolation and find ways for people to connect or interact. I would encourage everyone to keep in touch with their friends, families and neighbours via phone or video calls and to get in touch with any of the support services available.
“I also want to pass on my gratitude to the hard working staff and volunteers who have been working around the clock to develop the range of digital mental health services to help people who need it. It’s great to see so many people rise to the challenge to do what they can to support others.”
Sir Richard Leese, Chair of the Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership, added:
COVID-19, and the national measures being announced to delay the spread of the epidemic, will inevitably have a significant impact on both demand for and capacity to deliver support for people with mental health needs, a learning disability or autism.
“Lots of great work is being undertaken across the 10 boroughs, helping some of our most vulnerable. For example, the Spirit of Salford helpline, contact centre and digital platform was launched within 72 hours and has already had over 1,000 people get in touch. They are working to address people’s mental health and wellbeing and feelings of social isolation.
“Our overarching priority is to support mental health services to run as effectively as possible, ensuring that those seeking and needing mental health support and treatment receive this care. All mental health providers in Greater Manchester are trying to ensure as much continuity of care as possible.
Further information and resources is available from the Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partership website.