Press release from South lakeland District Council
With many people working from home, home-schooling children or feeling worried or anxious during these challenging times, there are even more reasons for everyone to do all they can to look after their own and their loved ones’ mental and physical health.
South Lakeland District Council (SLDC) is backing a national campaign to encourage people to look after themselves to prevent issues becoming more serious.
Public Health England’s ‘Every Mind Matters’ campaign includes lots of helpful tips and advice, focussed on looking after people’s mental wellbeing during the Coronavirus outbreak.
Every Mind Matters has been developed in partnership with clinicians, academics and leading mental health charities and offers authoritative, evidence-based and practical support.
Councillor Suzie Pye, SLDC’s portfolio holder for Health, Wellbeing and Financial Resilience, said: “Every Mind Matters encourages people to complete a personal Covid-19 ‘Mind Plan’, using a quick and free interactive tool that creates tailored mental well-being advice.
“The website also includes information and support for specific mental wellbeing issues such as anxiety, stress, low mood and trouble sleeping.
“At SLDC we are encouraging as many people as possible to take care of their mental wellbeing at this difficult time.
“To further support this the council has funded the distribution of 16,000 self-help guides produced by the charity Every Life Matters called ‘Wellbeing and Mental Health during Covid-19’. This guide also contains lots of useful advice on how to look after your mental health during lockdown.
“These have been sent to GP surgeries, food banks, voluntary and community groups in South Lakeland, while electronic versions of the guide have also been shared with all our staff working from home as well as district, town and parish councillors to distribute in their communities.’’
As well looking after mental wellbeing, the council is also encouraging residents to ensure they get, or stay, active during the lockdown.
Councillor Robin Ashcroft, SLDC portfolio holder for Economy, Culture and Leisure, said: “Official advice is to follow the guidance on social distancing and to avoid non-essential travel - including working from home if you can - which means our routines are changing.
“Staying active is more important than ever right now. We are encouraged to continue to exercise and getting outdoors into the fresh air and sunshine is beneficial in itself to your health if you are able to, even if that’s just into your garden or back yard, but even if you’re mostly in your house at the moment there are plenty of ways you can still keep fit and active.
“There are some great tips and ideas out there for staying active for all ages – everything from movement and mindfulness videos for use with children to online yoga and later life training.
“Active Cumbria has pulled together some fantastic information including from national and local providers to help you to ‘stay in and work out’.’’
· Find more information about the Every Mind Matters campaign, including advice and information about creating a Covid-19 Mind Plan at: https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/
· You can find a copy of the ‘Wellbeing and Mental Health during Covid-19’ guide to download at: https://www.every-life-matters.org.uk/covid-19/
· Find more information about staying active during the lockdown at: https://www.activecumbria.org/behealthybeactive/stay-work-out/
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For more information, please contact the SLDC Communications Team on 01539 793300.