Mental Health During Lockdown
The return to lockdown once again brings with it lots of new pressures and challenges on our own and our families wellbeing and mental health.
Our partners at Every Life Matters have provided us with the following message and information for the football community (and beyond) during Lockdown 3:
Everyone will be reacting in their own way. You might be feeling frustrated or lonely. Concerned about your finances, your health or relatives. And you might be feeling down, worried or anxious. It is OK to feel like this. These are normal reactions to uncertainty and to challenging events.
Our mental health is so important, and much like our physical health, we have to spend time exercising our mind and making sure it stays in top condition to deal with the difficulties ahead. Maintaining wellbeing/mental health can seem difficult at times but its often really simple things that help improve our mood, like getting out the house for a long walk, spending a bit of time getting creative, talking about your worries, getting plenty of sleep or even just distracting ourselves with a boxset binge. It’s so important to just take that time for yourself and not feel guilty about it”
More important than ever, is to acknowledge what control we have in our lives and focus on that. We can’t control the Covid-19 crisis but we can control our own responses and behaviours to it. Think ahead, make plans for what you’ll do in the coming days and weeks.
DOWNLOAD: GUIDE TO LOOKING AFTER YOURSELF & OTHERS
REd January
To support Cumberland FA staff throughout January, the team have signed up for Red January. The aim of Red January is to be active each day, connect with others (virtually) and know that you're not alone!
We're encouraging the Grassroots Football Community to join us - sign up for free and get active! Whether it's walking, running, cycling, skateboarding, yoga etc....whatever gives you a boost during these tough times!
Join the Cumberland FA Grassroots Team
During Red January, we're also raising funds for Sport in Mind, the UK's mental health and sports charity to reach and empower people to experience the life-changing benefits of physical activity.
SUPPORT DURING LOCKDOWN AND BEYOND
If you have been affected by any of the information contained within this article, or are having thoughts of suicide, the following helplines are here to support you.
Samaritans – Call 116 123 – There round the clock, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
PAPYRUS – Call 0800 068 41 41 – Support line for young people at risk of suicide. Various opening hours.
CALM – Call 0800 58 58 58. Men’s Helpline open 5pm – Midnight
Shout Crisis Text Service – Text Shout to 85258 to get 24/7 text support
Young Minds Crisis Text Service – Text YM to 85258 to get instant support
MindLine Cumbria – 0300 561 0000 Mental health information, guidance and support. Various opening hours.
For more information about where to get help when you are struggling with thoughts of suicide, or how you can support someone at risk, visit www.every-life-matters.org.uk/find-support/
We can all play a role in helping people whose mental health at risk.
The smallest displays of kindness, like picking up the phone to check-in on someone, and the conversation that follows, could make the difference. You don’t need to solve their problems and knowing someone cares could be enough to get them through. And perhaps even save a life.
There are often warning signs that someone is having thoughts of suicide.
What someone is saying, how they are behaving, and what is happening in their lives. Visit www.every-life-matters.org.uk/woried-about-someone/ today to find out what they are, and what all of us can do to support someone with thoughts of suicide.
Encourage someone with thoughts of suicide to reach out for support.
There are lots of organisations who can help people in financial difficulties. Visit www.every-life-matters.org.uk/get-help/ for more information. You can even help them by supporting them at meetings, or helping devise an action plan to move forward.
HEADS UP
The Heads Up campaign is a partnership between The FA and Heads Together, a campaign using football to change the game on mental health.
Visit TheFA.com for more information on support available, including Mental Health Guidance for Coaches and Referees.
To stay connected with Grassroots Football during this time, follow us on Twitter @CumberlandFA or Like our Facebook page. We're also on Instagram @cumberlandfa