People in Wales Keeping In Touch With Loved Ones and Exercising To Stay Upbeat During The Pandemic

People in Wales are keeping in touch with friends and family and turning to exercise to keep them positive during the Covid19 Pandemic.

According to a recent YouGov survey, over a third (38 percent) of Welsh residents said keeping hold of family and friendship bonds has helped sustain or improve their mental health since the start of the pandemic. Exercise, too, has been a boon to the mood of the nation with 34 percent saying they are making efforts to be more active.

The findings come as the Welsh Government is encouraging people to ‘help us, help you’ by practising self-care and adopting small changes to help improve mental well-being, particularly at a time when levels of anxiety are higher than usual. Sticking to a routine is also helping people to keep their mental health in good shape – 29 percent of respondents to the survey said they were finding this helpful, in these uncertain times.

Alun Thomas, Chief Executive of Welsh mental health charity Hafal, said: “Hafal’s advice is to stay connected to others as much as you can within the guidelines, look after your physical health, and reach out and support others who you think may be in need. To overcome feelings of loneliness, isolation and anxiety it’s important to make use of our own support systems, whether that be our friends, families, schools, employers, etc.”

Professor Jon Bisson, Deputy Director of the National Centre for Mental Health (NCMH) and Director of Traumatic Stress Wales, said: “With the vaccines beginning to be distributed, we will all be experiencing a mix of common, normal reactions, which may include positive emotions such as a feeling of togetherness and hope, along with negative emotions such as anxiety and lowered mood.

“There are several important ways to help reduce the risk of developing mental health consequences due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Eating healthily, taking exercise on a regular basis, keeping regular sleeping patterns, establishing a good structure for our days, and engaging in relaxing activities are always important to promote health and wellbeing.

“During this time of severe isolation for many, social support is a key part of staying well. Thankfully, we have lots of ways to maintain contact with people even if it can’t be in person. Telephone and video calls are good ways to stay in touch and for us to feel supported. We have a number of resources available on our website that we hope will help you be informed about your mental health, and help you stay well during the pandemic.”

Jen Harding, from Swansea has discovered the value of regular exercise during lockdown. The mum-of-two says: “I have been dipping into some of the free exercise classes on offer on Facebook from Freedom Leisure, who run the LC in Swansea. I find them ideal for me because they are structured and I feel as if I am doing something as a group, even though I am taking part in my living room, so there is a sense of camaraderie and competition that motivates me. The classes have helped me carve out a bit of me-time in a very busy week of working and home-schooling, which has been good for my mental health. And the classes have given my day structure, too, which is good for me.”

With more than £700m invested annually, The Welsh Government spends more on mental health than on any other aspect of the NHS.

For free advice and support on how to look after your mental wellbeing please visit Swansea Bay University Health Board’s page on local mental health support for adults, children and young people: https://sbuhb.nhs.wales/go/mental-health-support-during-covid/

Where to get help:
• If you are concerned about your mental health and would like confidential help and advice then you can call the CALL mental health listening and emotional support line which is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week on 0800 132 737. Alternatively, you can text “help” to 81066 or visit callhelpline.org.uk. CALL can also signpost to support in local communities and a range of online information.

• SilverCloud is an online course which offers support for anxiety, depression, and much more, all based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). Anyone aged 16 or over can sign up at nhswales.silvercloudhealth.com/signup/

• BEAT eating disorders helpline provides helplines and information for adults and young people, offering a supportive environment to talk about eating disorders and how to get help. Call 0808 801 0677 or visit www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/support-services.

• The ‘ACTivate Your Life’ online video course shares practical ways to cope with thoughts and feelings causing distress and help live life with more confidence. To start go to phw.nhs.wales/activateyourlife

• If you are also supporting young people during this time, The Young Person’s Mental Health Toolkit links young people, aged 11 to 25, to websites, apps, helplines, and more to build resilience. You can access the toolkit at bit.ly/ypmhten