During Mental Health Awareness week this week, tackling loneliness is the key message and together we can tackle loneliness.
One in four adults feel lonely some or all of the time. There’s no single cause and there’s no one solution. After all, we’re all different! But, the longer we feel lonely, the more we are at risk of mental health problems. Some people are also at higher risk of feeling lonely than others.
For Mental Health Awareness Week this year, the Mental Health Foundation and many charities such as the Samaritans, Mind and YoungMinds are raising awareness of the impact of loneliness on our mental health and the practical steps we can take to address it.
Dealing with loneliness can be difficult. But there are things we can all do to cope with loneliness and prevent some of the negative feelings and mental health problems that can come with it.
Take a look at the images below for some coping strategies that you might find useful as well as some tips on how to help others who may be struggling.
For help and advice if you or someone you know is finding things difficult, here you will find details of helplines and websites available.
* Shout – for everyone
Text 'SHOUT' to 85258 to start a conversation with a trained volunteer.
Shout is a free, confidential, 24/7 text messaging support service for anyone who is struggling to cope, who are anxious, stressed, depressed, suicidal or overwhelmed and who need immediate support.
www.giveusashout.org
* The same service is available for children and young adults up to age 25 via YoungMinds
To use the Young Minds Crisis Messenger - just text YM to 85258 (open 24/7 everyday 365 days a year).
www.youngminds.org.uk
* You can call Samaritans 24 hours a day, 365 days a year on 116 123 or email
jo@samaritans.org
Find out more at www.samaritans.org - Offering adults support for any problem big or small.
* Childline - offering support to children and young people under the age of 19 with any problem, big or small. It is a free phone number and will not show on your telephone bill.
Phone 0800 1111
(open 7:30am - 3:30am every day 365 days a year).
www.childline.org.uk
* PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide offering confidential advice and support for young people under the age of 35 struggling with suicidal thoughts or anybody concerned that a young person could be thinking of suicide.
Phone: 0800 068 4141
Text: 07860 039967
Email: pat@papyrus-uk.org
(Open 9am – 10pm Monday - Friday / 2pm – 10pm weekends / 2pm – 10pm bank holidays)
* The CALMzone "The Campaign Against Living Miserably" – for men
Call 0800 58 58 58 – 5pm to midnight every day
Visit the webchat page at https://www.thecalmzone.net/help/webchat/
www.thecalmzone.net/
(Open 5pm - midnight everyday 365 days a year)
* Beat - offering information and support for anybody affected by eating disorders.
Phone: 0808 801 0677 (helpline for anyone over 18)
Phone: 0808 801 0711 (youthline for anyone under 18)
(Open weekdays 9am - 8pm / weekends 4pm - 8pm everyday 365 days a year)
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