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We are keen to be able to do our bit as an organisation by suspending our face to face activities, following the latest government guidance. It’s sad we’ve had to make this decision as these activities are really important for us as a community, but we are going to start thinking creatively about how we can plug these gaps. Our phone line will still be operational during the usual hours, and we are also offering members of our community a scheduled check-in phonecall every week to hopefully reduce some of the isolation which people might be feeling.

There’s lots of coverage of Coronavirus (COVID-19) at the moment and it can lead to feelings of fear and isolation, particularly if you are already struggling with your mental health. There are steps you can take to help look after yourself during these worrying and confusing times.

• Being aware of current advice on a regular basis is important, however following constant news reports can often feel too much, so it is useful to take breaks. It’s normal to feel overwhelmed and anxious hearing rumours, so focus on good quality information only.
• It’s important to acknowledge your feelings and look after both your physical and mental health. You can do this through sticking to your daily routine, keeping in touch with friends and family and also checking in with people who are living alone.
• If there is a chance of you having Coronavirus you may be asked to stay away from others. This may seem daunting if you have to self-isolate so it is important to stay connected via phone calls/social media/email/skype. Maintain your daily routine as much as possible and trying new relaxation techniques can help.
• Public health agencies and experts in all countries are working on the outbreak to ensure the availability of the best care to those affected. To reduce the spread of Coronavirus it is important to wash your hands regularly for 20 seconds in warm water using soap.

We have a new website coming! It is linked to the Sheffield Mental Health Guide and it’s called “My Toolkit”.

But what is it? And why?

This all started a few years ago with someone using the Sheffield Mental Health Guide and telling us that it’s great but it’s a shame you can’t save your favourite bits. This was a great idea. We didn’t have the resources to do anything about it but we ‘banked it’ for another day.

The EFFIP Project (E-Support for Families & Friends of Individuals affected by Psychosis) has developed an online resource, called COPe-support (Carers fOr People with Psychosis e-support resource). COPe-support provides peer support, information on psychosis and ways for carers to look after themselves, all online via http://cope-support.org