The mental health services available to Atherstone residents this winter

To combat the negative effects winter and the pandemic have had on mental health, health and social care partners across Coventry and Warwickshire are uniting to remind people they are not alone and support is always available.

At this time, it's vitally important that people are aware of and able to seek support for negative thoughts and feelings should they need it.

There are many ways people can look after their wellbeing during these challenging and difficult times.

The Dear life resource has been created by partners to help people find the tools to maintain and improve their wellbeing and the wellbeing of others.

It offers a wealth of information about where to get help in a crisis, advice on how to maintain good mental health and ways to support others in need.

To talk to a professional today, you can call Coventry and Warwickshire's local mental health helpline for free on 0800 616 171, provided by Mental Health Matters.

Helpline staff can provide emotional support for residents including:

• feeling low, anxious or stressed and wanting to talk to another person
• feelings of extreme emotional distress and feel that there is nowhere else to turn
• caring for another person and finding it difficult to cope
• needing advice about how to get more support with an issue that's affecting your mental wellbeing
• feeling socially isolated and just need a chat.

Dr Sharon Binyon, Medical Director at Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust, said: "Despite the festive period around the corner, winter is a struggle for many people and with the added pressures from the pandemic, we are expecting it to be a challenging and lonely time for a lot of residents.

"There is a wide range of support services available across Coventry and Warwickshire to help people who are feeling low, stressed or struggling to cope.

"Dear life has been carefully constructed and designed to help you find support, provide lifesaving steps and advice in maintaining good mental health.

The following local and national mental health support and helplines are also available:

• NHS Mental Health Crisis service: 0300 200 0011, free 24/7 service.

• Rise (for children and young people) call 08081 966798 (select option 2).

• Dimensions Tool offers immediate tailored self-help support and signposting to local services.

• Warwickshire Safe Haven: 6-11pm every day; 02477 714554/07970 042270 or email [email protected]

• Chat Health is a free service that enables 11 – 18 year olds across Coventry and Warwickshire to send confidential SMS text messages to School Nurses who will provide impartial advice and support.

• Coventry and Warwickshire Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) service, call 024 7667 1090.

• Visit Warwickshire County Council website to find out about the range of mental health and wellbeing support services available to you. For tips and advice on being kind, and how this can improve our wellbeing, follow the county council's kindness advent calendar.

• The Samaritans call 116 123.

• YoungMinds Crisis Messenger: text YM to 85258.

• Papyrus Hopeline UK suicide prevention helpline: call 0800 068 4141 or text 07860 039967

• Every Mind Matters is the national NHS mental health support to help you manage and maintain your mental health, as good mental health makes such a difference.