A mental health charity is urging people to have a chat about their problems today.
February 4 is Time to Talk Day which aims to get the nation discussing mental health.
And according to Support in Mind Scotland Stewartry, which is based in Castle Douglas, it’s more important than ever this year due to the current lockdown.
Project worker, Leanne Latta, said: “Although we like to mark Time to Talk Day each year, we would like to reiterate the importance of taking time to talk every day, especially during the difficult time we have experienced in the past 10 months and quite possibly an extended period into the future.
“Lockdown and the various restrictions that have been imposed to keep us safe have no doubt had a detrimental effect on our mental health and wellbeing. Often social isolation and loneliness has felt significantly increased during this period – leading to emotional setbacks, declining physical health and overall lack of motivation.
“Although we can in no way provide the same levels of support you can receive from the accredited professionals in our remarkable health service, we can offer some low-level support via telephone, by means of a supportive and comforting chat, general advice, signposting to other services and just being there when you need an impartial and receptive ear.”
Support in Mind normally offer activities from their Station Yard base, such as creative writing, quiz and bingo afternoons and day trips.
However, due to Covid-19, the charity is currently providing telephone support from home.
Leanne added: “The main purpose of the resource centre is to give an individual a place to feel safe, respected and engaged, where they can build their confidence, self-esteem and social interactions to form meaningful, satisfactory relationships in their life.
“During this unprecedented event, we have quickly had to adjust to a new style of working via telephone and at some point, video calls, to meet our service users’ needs.
“Although challenging, we are dedicated to providing a regular, supportive weekly service on a one-to-one basis until we can safely return to the resource centre.
“Service users have adjusted well to this new style of interaction and we are always reviewing ways to keep communication fresh and appealing.”
So far they have been in touch with service users more than 15,000 times and spent nearly 20,000 hours talking to them.
Help is available by emailing stewartry@supportinmindscotland.org.uk or through the Support in Mind Scotland Stewartry Facebook page.
Informal enquiries can be made to 07501966255 between 9am and 4.30pm Wednesday to Friday or by phoning the national office on 0300 323 1545 between 9am and 3.30pm Monday to Friday.
